King James Version

What Does Job 27:20 Mean?

Job 27:20 in the King James Version says “Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.” — study this verse from Job chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.”

Job 27:20 · KJV

Context

18

He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.

19

The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

20

Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.

21

The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.

22

For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. he: Heb. in fleeing he would flee

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Terrors take hold on him as waters—the noun בַּלָּהוֹת (ballahot, terrors/calamities) with the verb נָשַׂג (nasag, overtake/seize) depicts overwhelming dread. The simile "as waters" (כַּמַּיִם, kamayim) suggests a flood drowning the victim—uncontrollable, inescapable destruction. A tempest stealeth him away in the night uses סוּפָה (sufah, storm/whirlwind) with גָּנַב (ganav, steal away), emphasizing sudden, secret removal. Night (לַיְלָה, laylah) suggests vulnerability and lack of warning—he cannot see the storm coming.

Job concludes his description of the wicked's end with vivid catastrophe imagery: overwhelming terror like drowning, sudden destruction like a nighttime storm. This poetic climax emphasizes divine judgment's inevitability and inescapability. The wicked may accumulate wealth (v. 16-17) and build houses (v. 18), but terror and tempest will ultimately sweep them away. Yet Job himself has experienced this terror—the Satan-sent "great wind" that killed his children (1:19) came suddenly. Job maintains that despite experiencing the wicked's described fate, he remains innocent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern literature often depicted divine judgment as storm or flood—chaotic waters representing threat and destruction (see Psalm 18:4, 16; 69:1-2, 14-15). The storm theophany appears throughout Scripture as God's instrument of judgment (Psalm 83:15, Nahum 1:3). Job's audience, familiar with devastating storms in the ancient Near East, would recognize this imagery's power. Nighttime storms were particularly terrifying without modern weather prediction or lighting.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's description of divine judgment challenge comfortable assumptions about security and safety?
  2. What is the relationship between fearing God (reverential awe) and the terror that comes upon the wicked?
  3. How can we prepare spiritually for life's sudden storms, whether judgment or permitted testing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
תַּשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ1 of 6

“take hold”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

כַ֭מַּיִם2 of 6

“on him as waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

בַּלָּה֑וֹת3 of 6

“Terrors”

H1091

alarm; hence, destruction

לַ֝֗יְלָה4 of 6

“in the night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ5 of 6

“stealeth him away”

H1589

to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive

סוּפָֽה׃6 of 6

“a tempest”

H5492

a hurricane

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 27:20 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 27:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 15:21Job 18:11Job 21:18Job 20:23Psalms 18:4Exodus 12:29

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