“It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him,” (v.25). These words, spoken by Zophar in the midst of his second speech (Job 20), serve as a vivid depiction of the punishment he insists will befall the wicked. The image of a weapon being drawn from a person’s body suggests swift and unavoidable judgment. Here, the verse emphasizes the inescapable nature of God’s justice—when these divine arrows of retribution strike, the one who has done wrong is forced to face the full consequences. Job’s story is traditionally placed in the land of Uz, possibly around the time of the patriarchs (roughly 2100-1900 BC), indicating a world where deep questions of suffering and righteousness were dissected in the earliest centuries of biblical history.
“It is drawn forth and comes out of his back…” (v.25) also underscores the personal and physical cost of wrongdoing. Zophar believes that any attempt to hide from God’s reckoning is futile; the glittering arrow points to a pain that cannot be concealed or avoided. Job, afflicted and confused, must hear these pronouncements even though he has continually insisted on his innocence. In the larger context of the Bible, this depiction of punishment can remind readers of the New Testament’s message that no one is blameless on their own (Romans 3:10). Ultimately, God’s sovereign justice remains unwavering—just as the arrow meets its mark with precision, so too does divine righteousness ultimately manifest itself.
“…Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him.” (v.25) completes this portrayal of dread by highlighting the inward turmoil and fear that overwhelm someone facing divine retribution. From a broader biblical perspective, this resonates with Jesus’ teaching on the internal nature of sin and its consequences (Matthew 15:19). Not only is there an external penalty for sin, but there is also grave internal anguish. Within the structure of Job’s narrative, these dire warnings echo the age-old question: “Why do the righteous suffer, and the wicked seem to prosper?” Zophar’s explanation is unequivocal—God’s justice is guaranteed to prevail, even if it is not always visible to us in every moment.
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Job 20:25 meaning
“It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him,” (v.25). These words, spoken by Zophar in the midst of his second speech (Job 20), serve as a vivid depiction of the punishment he insists will befall the wicked. The image of a weapon being drawn from a person’s body suggests swift and unavoidable judgment. Here, the verse emphasizes the inescapable nature of God’s justice—when these divine arrows of retribution strike, the one who has done wrong is forced to face the full consequences. Job’s story is traditionally placed in the land of Uz, possibly around the time of the patriarchs (roughly 2100-1900 BC), indicating a world where deep questions of suffering and righteousness were dissected in the earliest centuries of biblical history.
“It is drawn forth and comes out of his back…” (v.25) also underscores the personal and physical cost of wrongdoing. Zophar believes that any attempt to hide from God’s reckoning is futile; the glittering arrow points to a pain that cannot be concealed or avoided. Job, afflicted and confused, must hear these pronouncements even though he has continually insisted on his innocence. In the larger context of the Bible, this depiction of punishment can remind readers of the New Testament’s message that no one is blameless on their own (Romans 3:10). Ultimately, God’s sovereign justice remains unwavering—just as the arrow meets its mark with precision, so too does divine righteousness ultimately manifest itself.
“…Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him.” (v.25) completes this portrayal of dread by highlighting the inward turmoil and fear that overwhelm someone facing divine retribution. From a broader biblical perspective, this resonates with Jesus’ teaching on the internal nature of sin and its consequences (Matthew 15:19). Not only is there an external penalty for sin, but there is also grave internal anguish. Within the structure of Job’s narrative, these dire warnings echo the age-old question: “Why do the righteous suffer, and the wicked seem to prosper?” Zophar’s explanation is unequivocal—God’s justice is guaranteed to prevail, even if it is not always visible to us in every moment.