Job 20:5 (KJV)

What does Job 20:5 mean?

Job 20:5 says that the success and happiness of wicked people do not last long; even if they seem to be winning or joyful, it is only for a brief time. The verse points out that any apparent triumph or joy for those who act falsely or do evil is short-lived.

In this verse, Zophar, one of Job’s friends, is speaking to Job during their debate about suffering and justice. Zophar argues that wicked people (those who do wrong or are hypocritical) may seem to prosper, but their good fortune is fleeting. This is part of Zophar’s larger claim that God quickly brings down the wicked, which he uses to challenge Job’s complaints about his own suffering.

The Hebrew behind Job 20:5

• "Triumphing" (שָׂשׂוֹן, sason): This word means rejoicing or exultation, not just outward victory but an inner sense of celebration. Zophar is emphasizing not only the outward success but also the inward joy of the wicked as being temporary.
• "Wicked" (רָשָׁע, rasha): This term refers to those who act unjustly or are morally wrong. Zophar is not just talking about criminals, but anyone living in opposition to what is right.
• "Short" (קָרוֹב, qarov): This word literally means "near" or "close." The idea is that the time of triumph is not far off from ending—it is right at the doorstep.
• "Joy" (שִׂמְחָה, simchah): This word is about gladness or delight. Zophar is stressing that even the happiness of a hypocrite is brief.
• "Hypocrite" (חָנֵף, chaneph): This refers to someone who is godless or acts with a false front. The focus is on people who pretend to be good but are not.
• "Moment" (רֶגַע, rega): This means a very short period, like an instant. Zophar is saying the joy of the hypocrite lasts only for a blink.

Why Job 20:5 matters

• Job 20:5 challenges the idea that wickedness leads to lasting success, pushing back against the belief that evil people always prosper without consequence.
• The verse highlights Zophar’s perspective, which is that suffering is always a result of wrongdoing and that God quickly punishes the wicked—a view that is debated throughout the book of Job.
• Understanding the original words shows that Zophar is not just talking about outward fortune, but also the inner joy and satisfaction of the wicked, emphasizing how brief and fragile it is.