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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 20:16 He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/20-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/18_Job_20_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 20:16 - Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/20-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/20-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/20-15.htm" title="Job 20:15">◄</a> Job 20:16 <a href="/job/20-17.htm" title="Job 20:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of serpents; the fangs of an adder will kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They will suck the poison of cobras. The viper will kill them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of cobras; the tongue of a viper will kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue will slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue kills him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper&#8217s tongue slays him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue slays him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue kills him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“He sucks the poison of vipers [which ill-gotten wealth contains]; The viper’s tongue slays him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of cobras; a viper’s fangs will kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of cobras; a viper&#8217s fangs will kill him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They will die from the fangs of poisonous snakes <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The godless person sucks the poison of snakes. A viper's fang kills him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What the evil people swallow is like poison; it kills them like the bite of a deadly snake. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He sucks the poison of serpents; the fangs of a viper kill him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He shall suck cobra venom. The viper's tongue shall kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He will suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue will kill him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He sucks [the] gall of cobras, the tongue of a viper slays him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Gall of asps he sucketh, Slay him doth the tongue of a viper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall kill him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He shall suck the head of asps, and the viper's tongue shall kill him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He will suck the head of snakes, and the tongue of the viper will kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The poison of asps he shall drink in; the viper’s fangs shall slay him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They will suck the poison of asps; the tongue of a viper will kill them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He shall suck the poison of asps; the tongue of an adder shall slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The venom of the asp he will pour out and the tongue of an asp will kill him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He shall suck the poison of asps; The viper's tongue shall slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And let him suck the poison of serpents, and let the serpent's tongue slay him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/20-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=3084" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/20.htm">Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3243.htm" title="3243: yî·nāq (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To suck. A primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk.">He will suck</a> <a href="/hebrew/7219.htm" title="7219: rōš- (N-msc) -- (bitter and poisonous herb) venom. Or rowsh; apparently the same as ro'sh; a poisonous plant, probably the poppy; generally poison.">the poison</a> <a href="/hebrew/6620.htm" title="6620: pə·ṯā·nîm (N-mp) -- (a venomous serpent) perhaps cobra. From an unused root meaning to twist; an asp.">of cobras;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: lə·šō·wn (N-csc) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">the fangs</a> <a href="/hebrew/660.htm" title="660: ’ep̄·‘eh (N-ms) -- (a kind of) viper. From epha'; an asp or other venomous serpent.">of a viper</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: ta·har·ḡê·hū (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">will kill him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4</a></span><br />Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Proverbs 23:32</a></span><br />In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm">Deuteronomy 32:33</a></span><br />Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Isaiah 59:5</a></span><br />They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Revelation 9:19</a></span><br />For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17</a></span><br />“For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Numbers 21:6</a></span><br />So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a></span><br />Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Mark 16:18</a></span><br />they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">1 Corinthians 10:9</a></span><br />We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-3.htm">Acts 28:3-6</a></span><br />Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Genesis 3:14-15</a></span><br />So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly will you go, and dust you will eat, all the days of your life. / And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Isaiah 11:8</a></span><br />The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Amos 5:19</a></span><br />It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.</p><p class="hdg">the poison</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a></b></br> Their throat <i>is</i> an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps <i>is</i> under their lips:</p><p class="hdg">the viper's</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-6.htm">Isaiah 30:6</a></b></br> The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence <i>come</i> the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people <i>that</i> shall not profit <i>them</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7</a></b></br> But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/28-3.htm">Acts 28:3-6</a></b></br> And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid <i>them</i> on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/49-17.htm">Adder</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Asps</a> <a href="/job/20-3.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Cobra</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Cobras</a> <a href="/job/18-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Fangs</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Gall</a> <a href="/job/13-15.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/job/20-13.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/job/13-15.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/job/5-2.htm">Slays</a> <a href="/numbers/21-9.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/job/3-12.htm">Suck</a> <a href="/job/20-12.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Venom</a> <a href="/genesis/49-17.htm">Viper</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Viper's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Adder</a> <a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Asps</a> <a href="/job/20-21.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Cobra</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm">Cobras</a> <a href="/job/24-12.htm">Death</a> <a href="/job/29-17.htm">Fangs</a> <a href="/job/20-25.htm">Gall</a> <a href="/job/24-14.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/job/21-5.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/job/24-14.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-20.htm">Slays</a> <a href="/job/26-13.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/job/39-30.htm">Suck</a> <a href="/job/27-4.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Venom</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Viper</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Viper's</a><div class="vheading2">Job 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/20-1.htm">Zophar shows the state and portion of the wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He will suck the poison of cobras;</b><br>This phrase suggests the self-destructive nature of wickedness. In the ancient Near East, cobras were known for their deadly venom, symbolizing the lethal consequences of sin. The imagery of "sucking" poison implies a deliberate action, highlighting the willful engagement in sinful behavior. Biblically, serpents often represent deceit and evil, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a> with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The act of sucking poison can be seen as a metaphor for indulging in sin, which ultimately leads to spiritual death.<p><b>the fangs of a viper will kill him.</b><br>Vipers, like cobras, were feared for their deadly bite. The "fangs" symbolize the inevitable and fatal consequences of sin. In the cultural context of the time, encountering a viper was a life-threatening event, underscoring the seriousness of the warning. This phrase echoes the biblical principle that sin leads to death, as stated in <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>, "For the wages of sin is death." The imagery of a viper's fangs also connects to the idea of judgment and divine retribution, where the wicked face the consequences of their actions. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who, unlike the wicked, offers salvation from the "poison" of sin through His sacrifice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/z/zophar_the_naamathite.htm">Zophar the Naamathite</a></b><br>One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Zophar is speaking, offering his perspective on the fate of the wicked.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure of the book, a man who is suffering greatly and is seeking understanding and vindication from God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cobras_and_vipers.htm">Cobras and Vipers</a></b><br>Symbolic creatures representing danger and death. In the ancient Near East, snakes were often seen as symbols of evil and destruction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_wickedness.htm">The Consequences of Wickedness</a></b><br>Zophar's speech highlights the inevitable consequences of living a life contrary to God's ways. Just as one cannot escape the deadly effects of snake venom, so too the wicked cannot escape the repercussions of their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_deceptive_nature_of_sin.htm">The Deceptive Nature of Sin</a></b><br>Sin often appears alluring and harmless at first, much like the smooth movements of a snake. However, its end is destructive and deadly, leading to spiritual death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_living.htm">The Importance of Righteous Living</a></b><br>This passage serves as a reminder to pursue righteousness and avoid the paths that lead to spiritual and moral decay. Aligning one's life with God's will is crucial for avoiding the 'poison' of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>While Zophar's understanding of Job's situation is flawed, his assertion that God will ultimately deal justly with the wicked is true. Believers can trust that God sees all and will administer justice in His perfect timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_pleasant_words_like_a_honeycomb.htm">Can you trample on snakes and scorpions safely?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_14_1-2_conflict_with_promises.htm">Does Job 14:1-2's portrayal of life as short and full of trouble conflict with biblical passages that promise long life and blessings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/job_32_16-22__later_insertion_clues.htm">Job 32:16-22 - Are there any textual or historical clues suggesting this chapter might be a later insertion, potentially creating inconsistencies within the book?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_proof_of_safe_snake_handling.htm">Luke 10:19 - If authority over snakes and scorpions was literal, why isn't there consistent historical evidence of Christians demonstrating this without harm?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He shall suck the poison of asps</span>. Probably Zophar does not affix any very distinct meaning to his threats. He is content to utter a series of fierce-sounding but vague menaces, which he knows that Job will regard as launched against himself, and does not care whether they are taken metaphorically or literally. Job will be equally distressed in either ease. <span class="cmt_word">The viper's tongue shall slay him</span>. It is really the viper's <span class="accented">tooth</span>, and not his <span class="accented">tongue</span>, that slays; but Zophar is not, any more than Job (<a href="/job/27-18.htm">Job 27:18</a>), an accomplished naturalist. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/20-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He will suck</span><br /><span class="heb">יִינָ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(yî·nāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3243.htm">Strong's 3243: </a> </span><span class="str2">To suck, to give milk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the poison</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹאשׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(rōš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7219.htm">Strong's 7219: </a> </span><span class="str2">A poisonous plant, the poppy, poison</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of cobras;</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּתָנִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(pə·ṯā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6620.htm">Strong's 6620: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a venomous serpent) perhaps cobra</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fangs</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשׁ֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a viper</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶפְעֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ep̄·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_660.htm">Strong's 660: </a> </span><span class="str2">An asp, other venomous serpent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will kill him.</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּֽ֝הַרְגֵ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ta·har·ḡê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/20-16.htm">Job 20:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/20-16.htm">OT Poetry: Job 20:16 He shall suck cobra venom (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/20-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 20:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 20:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/20-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 20:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 20:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>