God’s eventual justice catches up with the wicked, obliterating their memory and influence.
Job 24:20 contains a vivid image of divine judgment on the wicked, as it says, “A mother will forget him; The worm feeds sweetly on him; He is no longer remembered. And wickedness will be broken like a tree” (Job 24:20). Job, who is believed to have lived during the time of the Patriarchs (around 2000-1800 BC), shares this observation as part of his lament about the seeming prosperity of the wicked. These words reflect his belief that wrongdoing does not go unpunished forever, but rather leads to a complete collapse in both reputation and memory. By mentioning that even a mother can forget, the passage dramatically portrays the total isolation and disgrace that can befall an unrepentant life.
When the verse states, “The worm feeds sweetly on him” (Job 24:20), it emphasizes the inescapability of physical death for those who persist in evil. The decay imagery is graphic, illustrating that in the end, nothing remains of earthly vanity—everything returns to dust. This fits with Job’s broader argument throughout the chapter that while injustice may appear to last, ultimate accountability cannot be evaded (Job 21:30). The fate of the unrepentant wicked stands in stark contrast to Scriptural hope offered through the knowledge of God’s mercy (Psalm 103:17).
Finally, “wickedness will be broken like a tree” (Job 24:20) underscores the certainty of judgment. Just as a strong tree may be snapped and stripped of life in an instant, so also those who persist in evil actions will eventually face the consequences of their choices. As with many Old Testament passages, this theme of retribution anticipates Jesus’ teachings on moral accountability and the importance of repentance (Luke 13:3). Job, traditionally understood to reside in the land of Uz (likely in northern Arabia), shares these truths to highlight the fleeting nature of life lived in wrongdoing.
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Job 24:20 meaning
Job 24:20 contains a vivid image of divine judgment on the wicked, as it says, “A mother will forget him; The worm feeds sweetly on him; He is no longer remembered. And wickedness will be broken like a tree” (Job 24:20). Job, who is believed to have lived during the time of the Patriarchs (around 2000-1800 BC), shares this observation as part of his lament about the seeming prosperity of the wicked. These words reflect his belief that wrongdoing does not go unpunished forever, but rather leads to a complete collapse in both reputation and memory. By mentioning that even a mother can forget, the passage dramatically portrays the total isolation and disgrace that can befall an unrepentant life.
When the verse states, “The worm feeds sweetly on him” (Job 24:20), it emphasizes the inescapability of physical death for those who persist in evil. The decay imagery is graphic, illustrating that in the end, nothing remains of earthly vanity—everything returns to dust. This fits with Job’s broader argument throughout the chapter that while injustice may appear to last, ultimate accountability cannot be evaded (Job 21:30). The fate of the unrepentant wicked stands in stark contrast to Scriptural hope offered through the knowledge of God’s mercy (Psalm 103:17).
Finally, “wickedness will be broken like a tree” (Job 24:20) underscores the certainty of judgment. Just as a strong tree may be snapped and stripped of life in an instant, so also those who persist in evil actions will eventually face the consequences of their choices. As with many Old Testament passages, this theme of retribution anticipates Jesus’ teachings on moral accountability and the importance of repentance (Luke 13:3). Job, traditionally understood to reside in the land of Uz (likely in northern Arabia), shares these truths to highlight the fleeting nature of life lived in wrongdoing.