King James Version

What Does Job 11:20 Mean?

Job 11:20 in the King James Version says “But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape , and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost...” — study this verse from Job chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape , and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. they shall: Heb. flight shall perish from them the giving: or, a puff of breath”

Job 11:20 · KJV

HopeSalvation

Context

18

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

19

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. make suit: Heb. intreat thy face

20

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape , and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. they shall: Heb. flight shall perish from them the giving: or, a puff of breath

Read Job 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Zophar concludes with warning: 'the eyes of the wicked shall fail' (תִּכְלֶינָה, tikhlenah—be consumed, perish), 'they shall not escape' (אָבַד מָנוֹס, avad manos—refuge perishes), and 'their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost' (מַפַּח־נָפֶשׁ, mapach-nefesh—breathing out of soul, death). This orthodox warning echoes Psalm 112:10 and Proverbs 10:28. The 'giving up of the ghost' is a stark image—their hope expires like a dying breath. The theology is sound: the wicked ultimately perish. The implication against Job is false: Zophar suggests Job faces this fate unless he repents of unspecified sins. He uses the doctrine of judgment as a weapon. Biblical warnings about judgment should drive us to Christ, not be deployed against fellow sufferers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israelite theology clearly distinguished the fate of the righteous and wicked. Zophar stands in this tradition but misapplies it, placing Job in the category of 'the wicked' based solely on his suffering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we proclaim the reality of divine judgment without presuming to know who falls under it?
  2. What is the difference between biblical warning and spiritual manipulation through fear?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְעֵינֵ֥י1 of 9

“But the eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

רְשָׁעִ֗ים2 of 9

“of the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

תִּ֫כְלֶ֥ינָה3 of 9

“shall fail”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

וּ֭מָנוֹס4 of 9
H4498

a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing

אָבַ֣ד5 of 9

“and they shall not escape”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

מִנְהֶ֑ם6 of 9
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְ֝תִקְוָתָ֗ם7 of 9

“and their hope”

H8615

literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy

מַֽפַּח8 of 9

“shall be as the giving up”

H4646

a breathing out (of life), i.e., expiring

נָֽפֶשׁ׃9 of 9

“of the ghost”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 11:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 11:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:65Job 17:5Job 31:16Luke 16:23-26Amos 5:19-20Amos 2:14

Test Your Knowledge

Job 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Job 11 with CommentaryAll Job ChaptersComplete Job QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes