King James Version

What Does Job 20:27 Mean?

Job 20:27 in the King James Version says “The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.” — study this verse from Job chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.”

Job 20:27 · KJV

Context

25

It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.

26

All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.

27

The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.

28

The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

29

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God. appointed: Heb. of his decree from God

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The heaven shall reveal his iniquity (יְגַלּוּ שָׁמַיִם עֲוֺנוֹ, yegallu shamayim avono)—galah means to uncover, reveal, or expose what was hidden. Heaven itself (shamayim) acts as prosecutor, revealing avon (iniquity, guilt, moral perversity). The earth shall rise up against him (וְאֶרֶץ מִתְקוֹמָמָה לוֹ, ve'erets mitqomamah lo)—qum means to arise or stand up, here in hostile witness. Creation itself testifies against the wicked.

This cosmic courtroom scene—heaven and earth as witnesses—echoes covenant lawsuit language (Deuteronomy 32:1, Isaiah 1:2, Micah 6:2). Zophar envisions total exposure: sins hidden from human eyes revealed by divine omniscience. Romans 2:16 affirms this: God judges the secrets of men. But Zophar presumes to know God's verdict before the trial, assuming Job stands condemned when God has declared him righteous (Job 1:8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaty/covenant documents invoked heaven and earth as witnesses (Deuteronomy 4:26, 30:19, 31:28). These cosmic witnesses represented permanence and objectivity—unlike human testimony, they couldn't be bribed or intimidated. Zophar employs covenant lawsuit imagery, but ironically, God later conducts an actual lawsuit—against Zophar and his friends for misrepresenting Him (Job 42:7-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of divine exposure of all secrets drive us to Christ who bore our sins' exposure?
  2. What does it mean that creation itself participates in God's moral order and judgment?
  3. How do we avoid Zophar's error of presuming to pronounce God's verdict before He speaks?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
יְגַלּ֣וּ1 of 6

“shall reveal”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

שָׁמַ֣יִם2 of 6

“The heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

עֲוֹנ֑וֹ3 of 6

“his iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וְ֝אֶ֗רֶץ4 of 6

“and the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִתְקוֹמָ֘מָ֥ה5 of 6

“shall rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לֽוֹ׃6 of 6
H0

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 20:27 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 20:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 26:21Job 16:18Luke 12:2-3Deuteronomy 31:28Romans 2:161 Corinthians 4:5

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