Job 20:16 Meaning and Explanation
“He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The wicked man feeds on serpent’s venom, and the viper’s tongue brings about his death.
What Does Job 20:16 Mean?
The serpent imagery sharpens. What the man took in was not nourishment but “the poison of asps,” and now “the viper’s tongue” will slay him. He nursed at the very thing that kills. The sweetness he savored was venom all along.
Behind the picture lies the oldest deception, the serpent’s lie that promised life and delivered death. Sin still speaks with a forked tongue, offering one thing and giving another. The verse warns us not to trust the voice that flatters us toward ruin, and it makes us long all the more for the One who crushes the serpent’s head and breaks the power of its poison.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 20:16
What does Job 20:16 mean?
The wicked man feeds on serpent’s venom, and the viper’s tongue brings about his death.