King James Version

What Does Job 20:6 Mean?

Job 20:6 in the King James Version says “Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; clouds: Heb. cloud” — study this verse from Job chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; clouds: Heb. cloud”

Job 20:6 · KJV

Context

4

Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

5

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? short: Heb. from near

6

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; clouds: Heb. cloud

7

Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?

8

He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

Read Job 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Zophar's Second Speech on the Wicked: This verse introduces Zophar's description of the temporary prosperity and ultimate downfall of the wicked (Job 20:4-29). Zophar, the most dogmatic of Job's three friends, argues that wickedness may produce momentary success but inevitably ends in ruin. The Hebrew "im-ya'aleh lashamayim sido" (אִם־יַעֲלֶה לַשָּׁמַיִם שִׂיאוֹ) means "though his height/pride ascends to the heavens." The noun "si'o" (שִׂיאוֹ) can mean "height," "pride," or "excellence," suggesting arrogant self-exaltation.

The Imagery of Cosmic Pride: The phrase "vero'sho la'av yaggia" (וְרֹאשׁוֹ לָעָב יַגִּיעַ) means "and his head reaches to the clouds." This vivid imagery evokes several biblical themes: the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4, reaching to heaven in pride), the King of Babylon (Isaiah 14:13-14, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds"), and the pride that precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18). The clouds (עָב, av) represent the upper atmosphere, the boundary between earth and heaven, symbolizing the wicked person's attempt to transcend human limitations and approach divine status.

Theological Problem—The Prosperity of the Wicked: Zophar's argument addresses a perennial theological problem: why do the wicked prosper? His answer—that their success is fleeting and illusory—follows traditional wisdom theology found in Psalm 37:35-36, 73:18-20, and Proverbs 24:19-20. However, the book of Job ultimately challenges this simplistic formula. Zophar assumes Job's suffering proves hidden wickedness, but God later vindicates Job and rebukes the friends for not speaking rightly about Him (Job 42:7-8). The irony is that while Zophar's general principle (pride precedes a fall) is true, his application to Job is false. The book teaches that suffering isn't always punishment for sin, and prosperity isn't always reward for righteousness—God's ways transcend mechanical retribution theology.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The book of Job is notoriously difficult to date, with scholarly estimates ranging from the patriarchal period (c. 2000 BC) to the post-exilic period (c. 500 BC). The setting is Uz, likely in Edom or northern Arabia, suggesting a non-Israelite context. Job himself is portrayed as a righteous Gentile, similar to Melchizedek, who worships the true God (often called El Shaddai in Job) outside the Mosaic covenant framework.

Zophar represents traditional Ancient Near Eastern wisdom theology, which emphasized divine retribution: the righteous prosper, the wicked suffer. This theology appears in Egyptian wisdom literature (The Instruction of Amenemope) and Mesopotamian texts. However, crisis literature like the Babylonian "Ludlul Bel Nemeqi" ("I Will Praise the Lord of Wisdom") and "The Babylonian Theodicy" show that ancient peoples also grappled with suffering's meaning when it didn't fit neat formulas.

The debate between Job and his friends reflects a theological crisis: traditional wisdom appears inadequate to explain Job's undeserved suffering. Job knows he's innocent (Job 27:5-6), God knows he's innocent (Job 1:8, 2:3), yet Zophar insists that such catastrophic suffering must indicate hidden sin. This mirrors later Jewish struggles with theodicy, particularly during the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah's laments, Ezekiel's discussions of corporate vs. individual responsibility in Ezekiel 18). The book's conclusion reveals that God's governance of the universe transcends human comprehension of justice—a theme Jesus echoes when disciples assume a man's blindness resulted from sin (John 9:1-3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zophar's imagery of pride reaching to the heavens connect to broader biblical themes about human arrogance and its consequences?
  2. What are the limitations of retribution theology (the assumption that suffering always indicates sin and prosperity indicates righteousness)?
  3. In what ways does the book of Job challenge simplistic explanations for suffering while still affirming God's justice and sovereignty?
  4. How can we hold together the biblical truth that pride leads to destruction with the reality that the wicked sometimes prosper and the righteous sometimes suffer?
  5. What does this passage teach about the danger of applying general theological principles to specific situations without divine wisdom and humility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אִם1 of 7
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יַעֲלֶ֣ה2 of 7

“mount up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לַשָּׁמַ֣יִם3 of 7

“to the heavens”

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

שִׂיא֑וֹ4 of 7

“Though his excellency”

H7863

elevation

וְ֝רֹאשׁ֗וֹ5 of 7

“and his head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

לָעָ֥ב6 of 7

“unto the clouds”

H5645

properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse

יַגִּֽיעַ׃7 of 7

“reach”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 14:13-14Obadiah 1:3-4Genesis 11:4Amos 9:2Matthew 11:23Daniel 4:11

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