Those who reject God’s truth will find no refuge in their time of judgment.
“Men will clap their hands at him
And will hiss him from his place.” (v.23)
Job uses this vivid description to depict how a wicked person’s downfall provokes scorn and ridicule. The phrase Men will clap their hands at him signifies the public’s disdain and triumphant mockery over the wicked man’s collapse. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, applause often carried a connotation of derision when directed at someone who had fallen out of favor or had lost honor. By declaring And will hiss him from his place, Job underscores not only the rejection of the wrongdoer but also his complete removal from the community he once inhabited. While Job himself was a man from the land of Uz (likely in the region east of Canaan around 2100 - 1700 BC) and beloved by God, he reflected here on the fate awaiting those who persist in wrongdoing, offering a warning that eventually, public condemnation and isolation will catch up to those who reject righteousness.
This verse reminds readers that evil, though it may flourish briefly, will be exposed in the end. Elsewhere in Scripture, a similar theme is seen when the wicked ultimately face loss and ruin (Romans 6:23). Job’s words highlight that the moral order woven into God’s design will not permit corruption to prevail unchallenged forever. Even the surrounding people—who see, assess, and react—cannot help but express contempt for a life spent defying the ways of the Lord. This truth echoes through the broader narrative of Job, where the cosmic conflict between God and Satan helps demonstrate God’s justice and human responsibility to live in reverence toward Him.
In light of Jesus’ teachings, we see continued emphasis on God’s sovereignty and the distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 25:46). While Job’s remarks here focus on external ridicule and shame for the wicked, the New Testament affirms that final judgment rests in the hands of the Almighty. Despite the trials that Job himself experienced, his reflections in this verse point us toward the certainty that God’s moral order will ultimately prevail.
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Job 27:23 meaning
“Men will clap their hands at him
And will hiss him from his place.” (v.23)
Job uses this vivid description to depict how a wicked person’s downfall provokes scorn and ridicule. The phrase Men will clap their hands at him signifies the public’s disdain and triumphant mockery over the wicked man’s collapse. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, applause often carried a connotation of derision when directed at someone who had fallen out of favor or had lost honor. By declaring And will hiss him from his place, Job underscores not only the rejection of the wrongdoer but also his complete removal from the community he once inhabited. While Job himself was a man from the land of Uz (likely in the region east of Canaan around 2100 - 1700 BC) and beloved by God, he reflected here on the fate awaiting those who persist in wrongdoing, offering a warning that eventually, public condemnation and isolation will catch up to those who reject righteousness.
This verse reminds readers that evil, though it may flourish briefly, will be exposed in the end. Elsewhere in Scripture, a similar theme is seen when the wicked ultimately face loss and ruin (Romans 6:23). Job’s words highlight that the moral order woven into God’s design will not permit corruption to prevail unchallenged forever. Even the surrounding people—who see, assess, and react—cannot help but express contempt for a life spent defying the ways of the Lord. This truth echoes through the broader narrative of Job, where the cosmic conflict between God and Satan helps demonstrate God’s justice and human responsibility to live in reverence toward Him.
In light of Jesus’ teachings, we see continued emphasis on God’s sovereignty and the distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 25:46). While Job’s remarks here focus on external ridicule and shame for the wicked, the New Testament affirms that final judgment rests in the hands of the Almighty. Despite the trials that Job himself experienced, his reflections in this verse point us toward the certainty that God’s moral order will ultimately prevail.