Job 20:24

"When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating."

Key Reflection

In Job 20:24, the author employs vivid imagery to describe the wicked man's ultimate downfall. The original audience would understand this as a sarcastic and dramatic prediction that when the wicked person believes he has achieved his desired wealth or success (filling his belly), divine judgment will unexpectedly strike him. This verse reflects the common belief in an eye-for-an-eye justice where God punishes the sinner with their own vice, ensuring that they experience the very suffering they sought to avoid.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

He shall flee from the iron weapon -The sword, or the spear. That is, he shall be exposed to attacks, and shall flee in cowardice and alarm. Bands of robbers shall come suddenly upon him, and he shall have no safety except in flight. Pref. Lee explains this as meaning, “While he flees from the iron weapon, the brass bow shall pierre him through.” Probably the expression is proverbial, like that in Latin,Incidit in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charybdin. The bow of steel shall strike him through -That is, the “arrow” from the bow of steel shall strike him down. Bows and arrows were commonly used in hunting and in war.

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