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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 20:4 Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/20-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/18_Job_20_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 20:4 - Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.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/20-3.htm" title="Job 20:3">◄</a> Job 20:4 <a href="/job/20-5.htm" title="Job 20:5">►</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 />&#8220Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since mankind was placed on the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Don’t you realize that from the beginning of time, ever since people were first placed on the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Knowest thou <i>not</i> this of old, since man was placed upon earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Do you <i>not</i> know this of old, Since man was placed on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do you know this from ancient times, From the establishment of mankind on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Do you not know this from the old days, Since the time that man was placed on the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t you know that ever since antiquity, from the time a human was placed on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t you know that ever since antiquity, from the time man was placed on earth, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Knowest thou not this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Since the time of creation, everyone has known <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Knowest thou not this of old time, since man was placed upon earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Don't you know that from ancient times, from the time humans were placed on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Surely you know that from ancient times, when we humans were first placed on earth, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Haven't you known this from ancient times, since mankind was placed on the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Surely you know that it has been from old, ever since humankind was placed on the earth, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know this from old time, since humankind was placed on earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Have you known this from antiquity? Since the placing of man on earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> This hast thou known from antiquity? Since the placing of man on earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou knewest this from everlasting when man was set upon the earth:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />This I know from the beginning, since man was placed upon the earth, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />This, I know, is from the beginning, from the time that man was set over the earth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know this: from of old, since human beings were placed upon the earth, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do you not know this from of old, ever since mortals were placed on earth,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />This I know from of old, since man was created upon the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />This I have known from the world from when Adam was created on the Earth, from The Maker of man on the Earth<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Knowest thou not this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Hast thou <i>not</i> known these things of old, from the time that man was set upon the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/20-4.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=3014" 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">3</span>I have heard a rebuke that insults me, and my understanding prompts a reply. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">Do you not know</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: hă·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min·nî- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/5703.htm" title="5703: ‘aḏ (N-ms) -- Perpetuity. From adah; properly, a terminus, i.e. duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity.">antiquity,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min·nî (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">since</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śîm (V-Qal-Inf) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">was placed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’ā·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the earth,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?…<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/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35-36</a></span><br />I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, / yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-18.htm">Psalm 73:18-20</a></span><br />Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. / How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! / Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Proverbs 24:19-20</a></span><br />Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. / For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:12-13</a></span><br />Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-12.htm">Isaiah 14:12-15</a></span><br />How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Isaiah 40:23-24</a></span><br />He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless. / No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1-2</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-2.htm">Ezekiel 28:2-10</a></span><br />“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a></span><br />Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Malachi 3:15</a></span><br />So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-5.htm">Matthew 5:5</a></span><br />Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a></span><br />Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a></span><br />Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-19.htm">Luke 16:19-31</a></span><br />Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18-21</a></span><br />The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Know you not this of old, since man was placed on earth,</p><p class="hdg">thou not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/8-8.htm">Job 8:8,9</a></b></br> For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-10.htm">Job 15:10</a></b></br> With us <i>are</i> both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/32-7.htm">Job 32:7</a></b></br> I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.</p><p class="hdg">man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a></b></br> And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">Genesis 9:1-3</a></b></br> And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/115-16.htm">Psalm 115:16</a></b></br> The heaven, <i>even</i> the heavens, <i>are</i> the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/7-20.htm">Antiquity</a> <a href="/job/13-26.htm">Early</a> <a href="/job/19-25.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-20.htm">Establishment</a> <a href="/job/18-10.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-10.htm">Placing</a> <a href="/job/19-13.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/job/19-25.htm">Time</a> <a href="/job/19-3.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/23-7.htm">Antiquity</a> <a href="/job/24-5.htm">Early</a> <a href="/job/20-27.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Establishment</a> <a href="/job/26-10.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Placing</a> <a href="/job/20-20.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/job/22-16.htm">Time</a> <a href="/job/21-10.htm">Times</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>Do you not know</b><br>This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, a common device in wisdom literature, meant to provoke thought and reflection. It suggests that the knowledge being referenced is well-known and should be understood by the listener. This approach is typical in the dialogues of Job, where friends often challenge Job's understanding and perspective.<p><b>that from antiquity</b><br>The term "antiquity" refers to ancient times, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the truth being discussed. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where wisdom was often seen as something passed down through generations. The idea is that certain truths are timeless and have been recognized since the earliest days of human history.<p><b>since man was placed on the earth</b><br>This phrase alludes to the creation narrative found in Genesis, where God places man in the Garden of Eden. It underscores the belief in a divine order established from the beginning of time. The placement of man on earth signifies God's sovereignty and purpose in creation. This also connects to the broader biblical theme of humanity's role and responsibility on earth as stewards of God's creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His account is a profound exploration of the nature of suffering and divine justice.<br><br>2. <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 but ends up arguing with him. Zophar is the speaker in <a href="/bsb/job/20.htm">Job 20</a>, and he represents a traditional view of retributive justice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/antiquity.htm">Antiquity</a></b><br>Refers to the ancient times, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the truths Zophar is about to discuss.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/creation_of_man.htm">Creation of Man</a></b><br>The reference to "the time man was placed on the earth" alludes to the creation account, grounding Zophar's argument in the foundational events of human history.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_timelessness_of_god's_truths.htm">The Timelessness of God's Truths</a></b><br>Zophar appeals to ancient wisdom, reminding us that God's truths are eternal and unchanging. In a world of shifting values, believers can find stability in the timeless principles of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_historical_perspective.htm">The Importance of Historical Perspective</a></b><br>Understanding the past helps us navigate the present. Zophar's reference to antiquity encourages us to learn from history and apply its lessons to our lives today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_tradition_in_faith.htm">The Role of Tradition in Faith</a></b><br>While Zophar's application may be flawed, his respect for tradition highlights the value of grounding our faith in the historical teachings of the church and Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_misapplying_truth.htm">The Danger of Misapplying Truth</a></b><br>Zophar's speech, though rooted in truth, is misapplied to Job's situation. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of context and discernment in applying biblical principles.<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/evidence_for_wicked's_brief_joy.htm">Job 20:4–5 implies universal knowledge of the brevity of the wicked’s joy; where is the empirical or historical evidence supporting this absolute claim? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job's_story_historically_accurate.htm">Is Job's story historically accurate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_14_14_doubt_resurrection.htm">Does Job 14:14's question 'If someone dies, will they live again?' indicate uncertainty about resurrection, challenging other parts of the Bible that teach it?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_4_17_declare_humans_unjust.htm">In Job 4:17, how can humans be declared unjust by default if the text elsewhere affirms God's love and mercy toward humanity?</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 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth?</span> These words scarcely "imply cognizance of the record (of the creation of man) in Genesis," as Canon Cook suggests; but they do imply belief in a creation of man, not an evolution; and in the existence of a continuous tradition, extending from that time to Job's. The passage is among those which make for the high antiquity of the book. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/20-4.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">Do you not know</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭דַעְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(min·nî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">antiquity,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5703.htm">Strong's 5703: </a> </span><span class="str2">A, terminus, duration, advance, perpetuity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(min·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was placed</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the earth,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/20-4.htm">OT Poetry: Job 20:4 Don't you know this from old time (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/20-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 20:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 20:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/20-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 20:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 20:5" /></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>