Job 20:5 Meaning and Explanation
“That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zophar states his thesis: the wicked’s triumph is brief and the godless person’s joy lasts only a moment.
What Does Job 20:5 Mean?
Here is the heart of Zophar’s entire speech. He declares that the success of the wicked is short-lived and that the gladness of the godless lasts no longer than an instant. Everything else in the chapter unfolds this single claim in vivid, relentless images.
Taken on its own, the statement holds a real and sobering truth: prosperity built on evil cannot endure, and joy without God is fragile. Scripture often warns that the way of the ungodly shall perish. Yet Zophar wields this truth as a weapon against Job, implying that Job’s suffering proves his guilt. The principle is sound; its cruel application is not. God’s justice is sure, but its timing is His own.
Job 20:5 in the Original Language
chaneph (חָנֵף), 'hypocrite' -- one who is godless or profane, hollow of true reverence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 20:5
What does Job 20:5 mean?
Zophar states his thesis: the wicked’s triumph is brief and the godless person’s joy lasts only a moment.