Job 20:20 (KJV)

What does Job 20:20 mean?

Job 20:20 describes a person who will never experience peace or satisfaction deep within themselves, and who will not be able to keep or enjoy the things they longed for. The verse paints a picture of inner restlessness and the inability to hold on to desired gains.

In this verse, Zophar is speaking to Job, warning that the wicked—even if they seem to prosper—will not find true contentment or security. The language focuses on a deep, internal lack of peace (“in his belly”) and the futility of selfish desires, fitting into Zophar’s larger argument that wrongdoing leads to emptiness and loss.

The Hebrew behind Job 20:20

• שַׁלְוָה (shalvah; H7961) — "quietness": This word often means peace, security, or tranquility. Here, it emphasizes the idea that the person will not feel any real peace or calm inside, highlighting a sense of deep, ongoing unrest.
• בֶּטֶן (beten; H990) — "belly": While literally referring to the stomach, in Hebrew thought it often points to the innermost being or emotions. The unrest is not just physical but emotional and spiritual.
• חָמַד (chamad; H2530) — "desired": This word means to covet or long for. The verse stresses that even the things the person deeply craved will slip away, showing the emptiness of selfish longing.

Why Job 20:20 matters

• Job 20:20 clarifies that outward success or gain does not guarantee inner peace or lasting satisfaction, especially when achieved through wrongdoing.
• The verse connects to Zophar’s broader speech, where he insists that the wicked ultimately face emptiness and loss, countering Job’s claims of injustice in the world.
• Understanding the use of “belly” and “quietness” in the original language helps readers see that the warning is about a deep, personal unrest, not just material loss.