Sin at first appears sweet but inevitably leads to despair.
“Though he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth,” (v.13). These words come from Zophar, one of Job’s friends, as he delivers his second speech (Job 20). Zophar lived during the same general time period as Job, likely in the era of the biblical patriarchs (circa 2000-1800 BC). In this verse, he depicts the wicked person’s unhealthy attachment to sin or wrongdoing, portraying it as something that the sinner craves so deeply that he “holds it in his mouth.” The imagery suggests a stubborn refusal to release what is ultimately destructive, even though it initially seems irresistibly sweet.
In the broader context, Zophar believes that those who persist in evil reap devastating consequences, no matter how enticing sin’s initial taste might be. The idea of holding it in one’s mouth speaks to the bitterness that follows any wrongful act. What starts as an alluring temptation quickly becomes a source of eventual regret and pain. Zophar uses this vivid picture to warn that no matter how much man desires to cling to wrongdoing, its sweetness wears off and judgment is certain in the end.
By emphasizing the temporary nature of pleasure derived from sin, Zophar calls on his audience to recognize that true satisfaction and hope come from living righteously before God. Although he directs these remarks toward Job’s predicament, the principle he expresses continues to resonate: when people cling to sin, they remain ensnared by it, finding only ruin rather than true blessing from the Lord.
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Job 20:13 meaning
“Though he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth,” (v.13). These words come from Zophar, one of Job’s friends, as he delivers his second speech (Job 20). Zophar lived during the same general time period as Job, likely in the era of the biblical patriarchs (circa 2000-1800 BC). In this verse, he depicts the wicked person’s unhealthy attachment to sin or wrongdoing, portraying it as something that the sinner craves so deeply that he “holds it in his mouth.” The imagery suggests a stubborn refusal to release what is ultimately destructive, even though it initially seems irresistibly sweet.
In the broader context, Zophar believes that those who persist in evil reap devastating consequences, no matter how enticing sin’s initial taste might be. The idea of holding it in one’s mouth speaks to the bitterness that follows any wrongful act. What starts as an alluring temptation quickly becomes a source of eventual regret and pain. Zophar uses this vivid picture to warn that no matter how much man desires to cling to wrongdoing, its sweetness wears off and judgment is certain in the end.
By emphasizing the temporary nature of pleasure derived from sin, Zophar calls on his audience to recognize that true satisfaction and hope come from living righteously before God. Although he directs these remarks toward Job’s predicament, the principle he expresses continues to resonate: when people cling to sin, they remain ensnared by it, finding only ruin rather than true blessing from the Lord.