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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 15:20 A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/15-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/18_Job_15_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 15:20 - Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless." /><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/15-20.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/15-20.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/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 20</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="/ad20.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/15-19.htm" title="Job 15:19">◄</a> Job 15:20 <a href="/job/15-21.htm" title="Job 15:21">►</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/15.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/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless man through all the years stored up for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives. Years of trouble are stored up for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man travaileth with pain all <i>his</i> days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The wicked man writhes with pain all <i>his</i> days, And the number of years is hidden from the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The wicked person writhes in pain all <i>his</i> days, And the years reserved for the ruthless are numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, And numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The wicked man writhes in pain all <i>his</i> days, And numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The wicked man writhes in pain all <i>his</i> days, And numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“The wicked man writhes with pain all his days, And numbered are the years stored up for him, the ruthless one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked person writhes in pain all his days, throughout the number of years reserved for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But suffering is in store each day for those who sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"The wicked person is tortured all his days. Only a few years are reserved for the ruthless person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The wicked who oppress others will be in torment as long as they live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"The wicked person writhes in pain throughout his life, a number of years has been reserved for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />All his days the wicked man suffers torment, throughout the number of the years that are stored up for the tyrant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />All [the] days of the wicked he is paining himself, "" And few years have been laid up for the terrible one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'All days of the wicked he is paining himself, And few years have been laid up for the terrible one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />All the days the unjust one himself being pained, and numbering the years they were hidden to him terrifying.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man is proud all his days, and the number of the years of his tyranny is uncertain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The impious is arrogant for all his days, and the number of the years of his tyranny is uncertain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The wicked is in torment all his days, and limited years are in store for the ruthless; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked writhe in pain all their days, through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man magnifies himself all his days, and the number of the years of the violent man is hidden.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />All the days of the wicked he magnifies himself and the number of his years will be kept by The Almighty One<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />All the life of the ungodly <i>is spent</i> in care, and the years granted to the oppressor are numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/15-20.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=2356" 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/15.htm">Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">A wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/2342.htm" title="2342: miṯ·ḥō·w·lêl (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or chiyl; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl, i.e. to dance, to writhe in pain or fear; figuratively, to wait, to pervert.">man writhes in pain</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">his</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yə·mê (N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: ū·mis·par (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">only a few</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/6845.htm" title="6845: niṣ·pə·nū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to hide; by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically to protect, to lurk.">are reserved</a> <a href="/hebrew/6184.htm" title="6184: le·‘ā·rîṣ (Prep-l, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Awe-inspiring, terror-striking. From arats; fearful, i.e. Powerful or tyrannical.">for the ruthless.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him.…<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="/proverbs/13-21.htm">Proverbs 13:21</a></span><br />Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-20.htm">Isaiah 57:20-21</a></span><br />But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”<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="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-19</a></span><br />For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-21.htm">Proverbs 11:21</a></span><br />Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-22.htm">Isaiah 48:22</a></span><br />“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-21.htm">Psalm 34:21</a></span><br />Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.<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="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Isaiah 3:11</a></span><br />Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Romans 2:8-9</a></span><br />But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. / There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-6.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:6-9</a></span><br />After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ...<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/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="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-5</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The wicked man travails with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.</p><p class="hdg">travaileth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22</a></b></br> For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:3</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> an evil among all <i>things</i> that are done under the sun, that <i>there is</i> one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness <i>is</i> in their heart while they live, and after that <i>they go</i> to the dead.</p><p class="hdg">the number</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3,4,12</a></b></br> Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Luke 12:19-21</a></b></br> And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, <i>and</i> be merry… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a></b></br> Go to now, <i>ye</i> rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon <i>you</i>… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/7-3.htm">Allotted</a> <a href="/job/10-3.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/job/15-16.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/15-18.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/job/14-10.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/job/14-16.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/job/6-23.htm">Oppressor</a> <a href="/job/14-22.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-24.htm">Paining</a> <a href="/job/6-23.htm">Ruthless</a> <a href="/job/15-11.htm">Small</a> <a href="/ezra/6-1.htm">Stored</a> <a href="/job/3-20.htm">Suffers</a> <a href="/job/6-23.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/job/13-25.htm">Torment</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-2.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Travaileth</a> <a href="/job/6-23.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/job/15-6.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-29.htm">Writhes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/21-21.htm">Allotted</a> <a href="/job/16-9.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/job/15-35.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/17-4.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/job/16-7.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/job/25-3.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/psalms/72-4.htm">Oppressor</a> <a href="/job/15-24.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-22.htm">Paining</a> <a href="/job/27-13.htm">Ruthless</a> <a href="/job/26-14.htm">Small</a> <a href="/job/20-26.htm">Stored</a> <a href="/job/20-22.htm">Suffers</a> <a href="/job/27-13.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/job/19-2.htm">Torment</a> <a href="/job/31-39.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/psalms/7-14.htm">Travaileth</a> <a href="/job/16-17.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/job/16-11.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Writhes</a><div class="vheading2">Job 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/15-1.htm">Eliphaz reproves Job for impiety in justifying himself</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/15-17.htm">He proves by tradition the restlessness of wicked men</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/15.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/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A wicked man writhes in pain all his days;</b><br>This phrase reflects the belief that wickedness leads to a life of suffering and turmoil. In the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz is speaking, suggesting that suffering is a direct result of sin. This aligns with the retributive justice view common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where one's actions directly influence their fate. The idea of continuous pain for the wicked is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/32-10.htm">Psalm 32:10</a>, which states, "Many are the woes of the wicked." This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and separation from God that the wicked will face, as seen in New Testament teachings like <a href="/matthew/25-46.htm">Matthew 25:46</a>.<p><b>only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.</b><br>This part of the verse suggests that the ruthless, those who act with cruelty and without regard for others, have a limited time to prosper. The brevity of their success is a common theme in wisdom literature, emphasizing the temporary nature of earthly power and wealth. This is similar to <a href="/psalms/37-10.htm">Psalm 37:10</a>, which says, "A little while, and the wicked will be no more." The phrase implies divine justice, where God limits the time of the wicked's influence. It also serves as a warning that earthly life is fleeting, and eternal consequences await. This can be seen as a type of Christ's ultimate victory over evil, where the temporary reign of the wicked is contrasted with the eternal reign of righteousness through Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <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 integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/eliphaz_the_temanite.htm">Eliphaz the Temanite</a></b><br>One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him but ends up accusing him of wrongdoing. Eliphaz is the speaker in <a href="/bsb/job/15.htm">Job 15</a>.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting he is considered wise.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked_man.htm">The Wicked Man</a></b><br>A general reference to those who live in opposition to God's ways, characterized by their suffering and ultimate downfall.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ruthless.htm">The Ruthless</a></b><br>Those who are cruel and oppressive, often associated with the wicked in biblical literature.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_wickedness.htm">The Consequences of Wickedness</a></b><br>The verse highlights the inevitable suffering that comes from living a life opposed to God's ways. It serves as a warning to avoid wickedness and embrace righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_power.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Power</a></b><br>The "few years" reserved for the ruthless remind us that earthly power and success are fleeting. True security and peace come from a life aligned with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a></b><br>Job's account, in contrast to the wicked described by Eliphaz, underscores the value of maintaining integrity and faithfulness even amidst suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a></b><br>The verse reassures believers of God's ultimate justice. While the wicked may seem to prosper temporarily, their end is one of pain and judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflection_on_personal_conduct.htm">Reflection on Personal Conduct</a></b><br>This passage encourages self-examination of one's actions and attitudes, urging believers to live in a way that honors God and reflects His righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_basis_for_job_15_20-24's_torment.htm">In Job 15:20–24, where is the historical or archaeological basis for the notion that the wicked perpetually face this kind of torment? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_wicked_prosper_despite_job_11_20.htm">Job 11:20 asserts the wicked lose hope, yet history and modern times show many unethical people prosper. How is this reconciled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_20_6-7_align_with_history.htm">In Job 20:6-7, how can Zophar's claim that the wicked perish quickly align with historical records showing many oppressive rulers prospered for extended periods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job_27_13-23_at_odds_with_god's_grace.htm">Does the portrayal of divine retribution in Job 27:13-23 conflict with the idea of God's grace demonstrated elsewhere in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Travaileth with pain.</span>--This and the following verses contain the result of this experience. Here, again, we have a highly-coloured and poetical description of the oppressor, true to the character of the speaker in <a href="/job/4-12.htm" title="Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a little thereof.">Job 4:12</a>, &c. We should read <a href="/job/15-20.htm" title="The wicked man travails with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.">Job 15:20</a> : <span class= "ital">The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor. </span>It is not an independent statement, as in the Authorised Version. A sound of terror is for ever in his ears lest the spoiler should come upon him in his prosperity--he always seems to dread his war-swoop. And this condition of darkness within, which contrasts so painfully with his outward prosperity, he sees no escape from; he is over in fear of a sword hanging over him, like Damocles.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 20-35.</span> - Schultens calls this "a magnificently elaborate oration, crowded with illustrations and metaphors, in which it is shown that the wicked cannot possibly escape being miserable, but that the punishment which they have so richly deserved assuredly awaits them, and is to be inflicted on them, as an example and terror to others, by a holy and just God, because, just as he loves virtue, so he pursues vice with a fierce and deadly hatred" ('Liber Jobi,' p. 104, edit. R. Grey). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days</span>. Certainly an over-statement of the truth. With a much nearer approach to the facts of the case, the Psalmist remarked, "I was grieved at the wicked: I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity. For they are in no peril of death, but are lusty and strong. They come in no misfortune like other folk; neither are they plagued like other men" (<a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-5</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And the number of years is hidden to the oppressor</span>; rather, <span class="accented">even the number of years that is laid up for the oppressor.</span> So Merx and the Revised Version. Another possible meaning is, "And a [small] number of years is laid up," etc. If we take the former view, we must regard the clause as exegetical of "all his days." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/15-20.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">A wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֭שָׁע</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<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">man writhes in pain</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתְחוֹלֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(miṯ·ḥō·w·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2342.htm">Strong's 2342: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days;</span><br /><span class="heb">יְמֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(yə·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">only a few</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִסְפַּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mis·par)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> </span><span class="str2">A number, definite, indefinite, narration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֝נִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are reserved</span><br /><span class="heb">נִצְפְּנ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(niṣ·pə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6845.htm">Strong's 6845: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the ruthless.</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶעָרִֽיץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(le·‘ā·rîṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6184.htm">Strong's 6184: </a> </span><span class="str2">Awe-inspiring, terror-striking</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/15-20.htm">Job 15:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/15-20.htm">OT Poetry: Job 15:20 The wicked man writhes in pain all (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/15-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 15:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 15:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/15-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 15:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 15:21" /></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>