Job 20:19 (KJV)

What does Job 20:19 mean?

Job 20:19 describes someone who is being condemned for oppressing and abandoning the poor, and for violently taking a house that he did not build. The verse points to unjust actions against vulnerable people, especially taking what does not rightfully belong to oneself.

In the context of Job 20, Zophar is speaking to Job and describing the fate of the wicked. Zophar claims that those who act cruelly toward the poor and seize property through violence will ultimately face consequences. The verse highlights the seriousness of exploiting others and taking advantage of those in need.

The Hebrew behind Job 20:19

• "oppressed" (רָצַץ, ratsats): This word often means to crush or oppress, emphasizing harsh treatment or abuse of power over the poor.
• "forsaken" (עָזַב, azav): This carries the sense of abandoning or leaving behind, showing a lack of care or responsibility for the poor.
• "poor" (דַּל, dal): This word refers to someone who is weak, lowly, or lacking resources, underlining the vulnerability of those being mistreated.
• "away" (גָּזַל, gazal): This means to seize or take by force, stressing the violent and unjust nature of the action.
• "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This is the common word for a dwelling or home, making the loss personal and significant.
• "builded" (בָּנָה, banah): This means to build or construct, highlighting that the person taking the house had no part in its creation or rightful ownership.

Why Job 20:19 matters

• Job 20:19 clarifies that the condemnation is not just for general wrongdoing, but specifically for exploiting the poor and taking what belongs to others.
• The verse connects to the larger argument Zophar is making: that wickedness, especially against the vulnerable, leads to downfall.
• Understanding the original Hebrew words deepens the sense of injustice described, showing both active harm ("oppressed") and neglect ("forsaken") toward those in need.