Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

JOB 8:20KJV
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Job 8:20 (KJV)

What does Job 8:20 mean?

Job 8:20 says that God does not reject a person who is upright, nor does He support those who do evil. The verse draws a clear line between how God treats those who are blameless and those who act wickedly.

In this verse, Bildad is speaking to Job during their debate about suffering and justice. Bildad insists that God is fair and will not abandon someone who is "perfect" (meaning upright or blameless), while also refusing to help those who do wrong. Bildad’s words reflect his belief that suffering is a result of wrongdoing, and that God’s justice is always visible in people’s circumstances.

The Hebrew behind Job 8:20

  • "God" (אֵל, 'el, H410): This is a common Hebrew word for God, emphasizing His power and might. Bildad appeals to God’s authority as the ultimate judge.
  • "Cast away" (מָאַס, ma'as, H3988): This word means to reject or despise. Bildad is saying God will not reject someone who is upright in character.
  • "Perfect" (תָּם, tam, H8535): This word is often understood as "blameless" or "complete," describing someone with integrity rather than absolute sinlessness.
  • "Help" (יַעֲזֹר, ya'azor, H2388 + יָד, yad, H3027): The phrase here means to strengthen or support, with "hand" (yad) often symbolizing power or assistance. Bildad claims God will not give strength or support to those who do evil.
  • "Doers" (רַע, ra', H7489): This word refers to those who act wickedly or cause harm, emphasizing active wrongdoing.

Why Job 8:20 matters

  • Job 8:20 shows how Job’s friends viewed suffering: they believed good people are always rewarded and evil people are always punished, which is a major theme in the book’s debates.
  • The verse highlights the tension between human assumptions about God’s justice and the deeper mystery of suffering that Job experiences.
  • Understanding the original words helps clarify that "perfect" means upright or blameless, not flawless, which shapes how we read Bildad’s argument and Job’s response.

Where else these words appear

“perfect” Hebrew H8535 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 25:27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
  • Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
  • Psalms 64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

“away” Hebrew H3988 · used in 69 verses

  • Leviticus 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
  • Job 31:13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
  • Isaiah 41:9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

“doers” Hebrew H7489 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
  • 2 Kings 21:11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
  • Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;