Job 20:28 (KJV)

What does Job 20:28 mean?

Job 20:28 says that everything a wicked person has gained—his wealth and possessions—will be taken away and lost when God’s anger comes. The verse warns that no matter how much someone accumulates, it will not last if it was gained unjustly, because it will be swept away in a time of judgment.

In the story, Zophar is speaking to Job, insisting that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary. Zophar claims that even if someone’s household and riches seem to increase, they will ultimately vanish when God decides to act in anger. This is part of Zophar’s broader argument that evil people cannot keep their gains and will face consequences.

The Hebrew behind Job 20:28

• "increase" (יְבוּלֹו, yevulo): This word often refers to produce, yield, or profit—what someone’s efforts have brought in. Here, it emphasizes that even the results of hard work or accumulation will not be secure for the wicked.
• "depart" (יָגְלֶה, yigleh): This verb is often used for exile or being carried away. It suggests a forceful removal, not just a gentle loss, highlighting the suddenness and completeness of the loss.
• "away" (יִנָּגַר, yinnagar): This word carries the sense of something being poured out or swept away, like water running off. It paints a vivid picture of wealth flowing out of reach, unstoppable once it begins.
• "wrath" (אַפּוֹ, apo): This word literally means “nose” or “anger,” and is often used for God’s anger. The verse stresses that this loss happens specifically in the time of God’s anger, not by random chance.

Why Job 20:28 matters

• Job 20:28 clarifies that the loss of wealth is not accidental or random, but directly tied to God’s anger against wrongdoing, countering the idea that prosperity always means God’s favor.
• The verse is part of Zophar’s argument that the wicked cannot hold onto their gains, which is important in the book’s larger debate about why people suffer or prosper.
• The strong language about wealth being swept away helps explain the emotional force behind Zophar’s warning, showing how sudden and total the reversal can be.