Job 15:20 (KJV)

What does Job 15:20 mean?

Job 15:20 says that a wicked person suffers distress throughout his life, and the length of time he has left is unknown to him, especially if he is someone who oppresses others. The verse highlights the ongoing pain and uncertainty that mark the life of someone who does evil.

In this passage, Eliphaz is speaking to Job, arguing that suffering is the natural result for those who are wicked or oppressive. Eliphaz claims that the wicked are constantly troubled, suggesting their pain is both physical and mental, and that they cannot know how long their misery will last. This is part of Eliphaz’s larger attempt to explain suffering as a consequence of wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind Job 15:20

• "wicked" (רָשָׁע, rashaʿ): This word refers to someone who is morally wrong or guilty, emphasizing not just legal guilt but a deep-seated opposition to what is right.
• "travaileth" (חוּל, chul): This verb often means to writhe or tremble, sometimes used for the pain of childbirth, highlighting intense, ongoing distress rather than a single moment of pain.
• "hidden" (צָפַן, tsafan): This word means to hide or conceal, suggesting that the wicked oppressor cannot know or control the span of his own life, adding to his anxiety.

Why Job 15:20 matters

• Job 15:20 clarifies that Eliphaz is not just making a general statement about suffering, but specifically tying ongoing pain and uncertainty to those who do wrong, especially oppressors.
• The verse shows how Eliphaz views the world: he believes suffering is always a sign of personal guilt, which is a key theme in the book’s larger debate about why people suffer.
• Understanding the original words for "travaileth" and "hidden" helps us see that the verse is about deep, ongoing turmoil and the fear of the unknown, not just physical pain or a vague sense of trouble.