Job 20:14 (KJV)

What does Job 20:14 mean?

Job 20:14 describes how what a wicked person consumes—what seems pleasant or satisfying—will turn bitter and poisonous inside them, like the deadly venom of snakes. The verse uses vivid imagery to show that the apparent rewards of wrongdoing become harmful and destructive within a person.

In this verse, Zophar, one of Job’s friends, is speaking to Job during their debate about suffering and justice. Zophar insists that evil people may seem to prosper for a while, but their gains will ultimately bring them pain and ruin. The verse uses the metaphor of food turning into poison to emphasize that the consequences of wrongdoing are unavoidable and internal.

The Hebrew behind Job 20:14

• "meat" (לֶחֶם, lechem): This word often means "bread" or "food" in general, highlighting that what is consumed is not just literal food, but anything taken in for satisfaction.
• "gall" (מְרוֹרָה, merorah): This refers to a bitter substance, often associated with bile or poison, emphasizing the unpleasant and harmful result.
• "asps" (פֶּתֶן, peten): The asp is a venomous snake, so the image is of something deadly and toxic, not just bitter.
• "bowels" (מֵעֶה, me'eh): This word refers to the inner parts or insides, suggesting the effect is deep and internal, not just on the surface.

Why Job 20:14 matters

• Job 20:14 clarifies that the harm caused by wrongdoing is not always immediate or visible, but can work from the inside out, eventually leading to destruction.
• The verse connects to Zophar’s larger argument that apparent prosperity of the wicked is temporary and deceptive, reinforcing the theme of hidden consequences.
• The vivid imagery helps the reader understand the seriousness of moral choices and the idea that what seems sweet in the moment can become a source of deep suffering.