Job 20 — Tyndale Study Notes
Job.20.7
thrown away like their own dung: Cp. 1 Kgs 14:9-11; 2 Kgs 9:36-37; Ps 83:10; Jer 8:1-2.
Job.20.10
Because stolen riches are ill-gotten, they provide no lasting benefit (20:18-21).
Job.20.14-16
poisonous venom . . . cobras . . . viper: In the end, the wicked are no longer deadly to others (Matt 3:7; Rom 3:13) but only to themselves (Prov 23:29-35).
Job.20.17
The streams of olive oil and rivers of milk and honey signify superabundant blessing (Exod 5:19; Deut 27:3; Joel 3:18).
Job.20.20
Like the grave or death (Prov 27:20; 30:15-16), the wicked are always greedy and never satisfied (Eccl 5:19; Isa 57:20-21; Hab 2:5).
Job.20.24
The wicked cannot escape trouble (cp. Isa 24:17-18; Jer 15:2-3; Amos 5:19; 9:1-2). When they try to escape one threat, they fall victim to another.
Job.20.25
terrors of death: Although the words “of death” are not in the Hebrew, they are implied because the arrowhead glistens with blood (literally with gall), indicating a deadly hit on a vital organ (6:4; 16:13; Ps 7:12).
Job.20.26
Images such as deepest darkness and wildfire are often associated with God’s presence (Deut 4:11; 5:22-23; Heb 12:18) and especially with his judgment (Exod 9:23-24; 10:21-29).
Job.20.27
heavens . . . will testify: Cp. Deut 4:26; 30:19; 31:28.