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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 20:5 the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/20-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/18_Job_20_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 20:5 - Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.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/20-4.htm" title="Job 20:4">◄</a> Job 20:5 <a href="/job/20-6.htm" title="Job 20:6">►</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 />that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />the triumph of the wicked has been short lived and the joy of the godless has been only temporary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked <i>is</i> short, and the joy of the hypocrite <i>but</i> for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is <i>but</i> for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />That the rejoicing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />That the shouts of joy of the wicked are short, And the gladness of the godless momentary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless is only for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />that sinful people are happy for only a while. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />the triumph of the wicked is short-lived, and the joy of the godless person lasts only a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />no wicked people have been happy for long. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked triumph only briefly; the joy of the godless is momentary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />that the elation of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />That the singing of the wicked [is] short, "" And the joy of the profane for a moment,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> That the singing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the profane for a moment,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For the rejoicing of the unjust drawing near, and the gladness of the profane even for a moment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />that the praise of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />that the praise of the impious shall be short, and the joy of the hypocrite lasts only a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the impious but for a moment? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless is but for a moment?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the boasting of the wicked from within them, and the rejoicing of the godless one until now is for a little time<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, and the joy of transgressors is destruction:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/20-5.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=3018" 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">4</span>Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth, <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7445.htm" title="7445: rin·naṯ (N-fsc) -- A ringing cry. From ranan; a shout.">the triumph</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">of the wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/7138.htm" title="7138: miq·qā·rō·wḇ (Prep-m:: Adj-ms) -- Near. Or qarob; from qarab; near.">has been brief</a> <a href="/hebrew/8057.htm" title="8057: wə·śim·ḥaṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Joy, gladness, mirth. From sameach; blithesomeness or glee.">and the joy</a> <a href="/hebrew/2611.htm" title="2611: ḥā·nêp̄ (N-ms) -- Profane, irreligious. From chaneph; soiled, impious.">of the godless</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘ă·ḏê- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7281.htm" title="7281: rā·ḡa‘ (N-ms) -- A moment. From raga'. A wink, i.e. A very short space of time.">momentary?</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds,…<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/14-11.htm">Proverbs 14:11</a></span><br />The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.<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/40-24.htm">Isaiah 40:24</a></span><br />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="/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/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-49.htm">Matthew 13:49-50</a></span><br />So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous / and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-24.htm">Luke 6:24-25</a></span><br />But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. / Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Luke 12:19-20</a></span><br />Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-25.htm">Luke 16:25</a></span><br />But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-25.htm">John 12:25</a></span><br />Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?</p><p class="hdg">the triumphing</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-3.htm">Job 5:3</a></b></br> I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-29.htm">Job 15:29-34</a></b></br> He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/18-5.htm">Job 18:5,6</a></b></br> Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine… </p><p class="hdg">short.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/8-19.htm">Job 8:19</a></b></br> Behold, this <i>is</i> the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-8.htm">Job 27:8</a></b></br> For what <i>is</i> the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21</a></b></br> Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/9-8.htm">Brief</a> <a href="/job/13-16.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/job/3-22.htm">Exultation</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-13.htm">Exulting</a> <a href="/job/17-8.htm">Godless</a> <a href="/job/17-8.htm">Hypocrite</a> <a href="/job/10-20.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-11.htm">Lasts</a> <a href="/job/7-18.htm">Minute</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-12.htm">Mirth</a> <a href="/job/7-18.htm">Moment</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-17.htm">Momentary</a> <a href="/job/11-3.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/job/17-8.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/job/18-7.htm">Short</a> <a href="/job/3-7.htm">Singing</a> <a href="/job/18-21.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Triumphing</a> <a href="/job/18-21.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/job/18-21.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/54-7.htm">Brief</a> <a href="/job/21-28.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/psalms/60-6.htm">Exultation</a> <a href="/psalms/35-9.htm">Exulting</a> <a href="/job/27-8.htm">Godless</a> <a href="/job/27-8.htm">Hypocrite</a> <a href="/job/27-23.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-19.htm">Lasts</a> <a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Minute</a> <a href="/psalms/137-3.htm">Mirth</a> <a href="/job/21-13.htm">Moment</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-19.htm">Momentary</a> <a href="/job/20-6.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/job/34-30.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/job/21-4.htm">Short</a> <a href="/job/38-7.htm">Singing</a> <a href="/job/27-7.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Triumphing</a> <a href="/job/27-8.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/job/20-22.htm">Wicked</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>the triumph of the wicked has been brief</b><br>This phrase reflects the biblical theme that the success of the wicked is temporary. Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent message that while the wicked may prosper for a time, their ultimate end is destruction (<a href="/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35-36</a>, <a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Proverbs 24:19-20</a>). The brevity of their triumph is a reminder of God's justice and the eventual downfall of those who oppose His ways. Historically, this can be seen in the rise and fall of empires and leaders who acted wickedly, such as the Assyrians and Babylonians, who were used by God for a time but ultimately faced judgment. This concept is also echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about the temporary nature of worldly success (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>).<p><b>and the joy of the godless momentary?</b><br>The joy of the godless being momentary highlights the fleeting nature of pleasures that are not rooted in God. This is a common theme in wisdom literature, such as Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher reflects on the vanity of life without God (<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:10-11</a>). The cultural context of the ancient Near East often associated prosperity and joy with divine favor, yet the Bible challenges this notion by emphasizing that true and lasting joy comes from a relationship with God. The temporary joy of the godless serves as a warning to seek eternal joy found in God alone. This is further illustrated in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of the joy that comes from abiding in Him (<a href="/john/15-11.htm">John 15:11</a>).<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. Zophar is known for his blunt and often harsh speeches, emphasizing God's justice and 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 of Job, a man of great faith and patience who endures immense suffering and loss. His account explores themes of suffering, justice, and faith.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>In this context, refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways, often experiencing temporary success or joy.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_godless.htm">The Godless</a></b><br>Those who live without regard for God, often equated with the wicked in biblical literature.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_book_of_job.htm">The Book of Job</a></b><br>A poetic and philosophical book in the Old Testament that addresses the nature of suffering and the justice of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fleeting_nature_of_wickedness.htm">The Fleeting Nature of Wickedness</a></b><br>The success and joy of those who live apart from God are temporary. This should remind believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary gains.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a></b><br>Zophar's assertion reflects a belief in divine justice, where the wicked will ultimately face consequences. Believers can trust in God's timing and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/endurance_in_suffering.htm">Endurance in Suffering</a></b><br>Like Job, believers may face trials and see the wicked prosper temporarily. Faithfulness and patience are crucial during such times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Christians are encouraged to maintain an eternal perspective, valuing spiritual riches over worldly success.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_envy.htm">Avoiding Envy</a></b><br>Believers should guard against envying the temporary success of the wicked, focusing instead on their relationship with God and His promises.<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/how_to_reconcile_zophar_with_psalm_73.htm">How do we reconcile Zophar’s rigid cause-and-effect theology in Job 20 with other biblical passages (like Psalm 73) that acknowledge the prosperity of the wicked without immediate judgment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_is_the_location_of_hell.htm">Where is the location of hell?</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/why_does_god_allow_evil_to_reign.htm">In Job 9:24, the statement that the earth is handed over to the wicked seems to contradict God's sovereignty--why would an omnipotent God permit evil to reign?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">The triumphing of the wicked is short.</span>--He affirms that the destruction of the wicked is not only certain, but speedy. (Comp. <a href="/psalms/103-16.htm" title="For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.">Psalm 103:16</a> and <a href="/job/7-8.htm" title="The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more: your eyes are on me, and I am not.">Job 7:8</a>; <a href="/job/7-10.htm" title="He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.">Job 7:10</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">That the triumphing of the wicked is short</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/37-35.htm">Psalm 37:35, 36</a>; <a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">Psalm 51:1-5</a>; <a href="/psalms/73-17.htm">Psalm 73:17-19</a>, etc.). This is one of the main points of dispute between Job and his opponents. It has been previously maintained by Eliphaz (<a href="/job/4-8.htm">Job 4:8-11</a>; <a href="/job/5-3.htm">Job 5:3-5</a>; <a href="/job/15-21.htm">Job 15:21, 29</a>) and by Bildad (<a href="/job/8-11.htm">Job 8:11-19</a>), as it is now by Zophar, and may be regarded as the traditional belief of the time, which scarcely any ventured to question. His own observation, however, has convinced Job that the fact is otherwise. He has seen the wicked "live, become old, and remain mighty in power" (<a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7</a>); he has seen them "spend their days in wealth," and die quietly, as "in a moment" (<a href="/job/21-13.htm">Job 21:13</a>). In <a href="/job/24-2.htm">Job 24:2-24</a> he seems to argue that this is the general, if not universal, lot of such persons. Later on, however, in <a href="/job/27-13.htm">Job 27:13-23</a>, he retracts this view, or, at any rate, greatly modifies it, admitting that usually retribution does even in this life overtake the wicked. And this seems to be the general sentiment of mankind. <p><span class="accented">"Raro antecedentem scelestum,<br />Deseruit pede poena claudlo."</span><br /><br />(<span class="note_acc">Horace, 'Od.,' 3:2, ll. 31, 32.</span>) There remains, however, the question whether the triumphing of the wicked can fairly be considered "short," and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment. When we consider the lives of Dionysius the elder, Sylla, Marius, Tiberius, Louis XIV., Napoleon, it is difficult to answer this question in the affirmative. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/20-5.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">the triumph</span><br /><span class="heb">רִנְנַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(rin·naṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7445.htm">Strong's 7445: </a> </span><span class="str2">A ringing cry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רְ֭שָׁעִים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·šā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has been brief</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקָּר֑וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(miq·qā·rō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the joy</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשִׂמְחַ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śim·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8057.htm">Strong's 8057: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blithesomeness, glee</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the godless</span><br /><span class="heb">חָנֵ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·nêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2611.htm">Strong's 2611: </a> </span><span class="str2">Profane, irreligious</span><br /><br /><span class="word">momentary?</span><br /><span class="heb">רָֽגַע׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḡa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7281.htm">Strong's 7281: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wink, a very short space of time</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/20-5.htm">OT Poetry: Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/20-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 20:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 20:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/20-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 20:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 20:6" /></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>