Read Job chapter 27 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 27 is part of “Third Cycle of Dialogue” (22–31) in the outline of Job.
Job 27 summary
Job had sometimes complained of his friends that they were so eager in disputing that they would scarcely let him put in a word: "Suffer me that I may speak;" and, "O that you would hold your peace!" But now, it seems, they were out of breath, and left him room to say what he would. Either they were themselves convinced that Job was in the right or they despaired of convincing him that he was in the wrong; and therefore they threw away their weapons and gave up the cause. Job was too hard for them, and forced them to quit the field; for great is the truth and will prevail. What Job had said (Job 26:1-14) was a sufficient answer to Bildad's discourse; and now Job paused awhile, to see whether Zophar would take his turn again; but, he declining it, Job himself went on, and, without any interruption or vexation given him, said all he desired to say in this matter. I. He begins with a solemn protestation of his integrity and of his resolution to hold it fast (Job 27:2-6). II. He expresses the dread he had of that hypocrisy which they charged him with (Job 27:7-10). III. He shows the miserable end of wicked people, notwithstanding their long prosperity, and the curse that attends them and is entailed upon their families (Job 27:11-23).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 Job again took up his parable, and said,
2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter
3 (for the length of my life is still in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils);
4 surely my lips will not speak unrighteousness, neither will my tongue utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
6 I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart will not reproach me so long as I live.
7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked. Let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
9 Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him?
10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty, and call on God at all times?
11 I will teach you about the hand of God. I will not conceal that which is with the Almighty.
12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?
13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.
14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword. His offspring will not be satisfied with bread.
15 Those who remain of him will be buried in death. His widows will make no lamentation.
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as the clay;
17 he may prepare it, but the just will put it on, and the innocent will divide the silver.
18 He builds his house as the moth, as a booth which the watchman makes.
19 He lies down rich, but he will not do so again. He opens his eyes, and he is not.
20 Terrors overtake him like waters. A storm steals him away in the night.
21 The east wind carries him away, and he departs. It sweeps him out of his place.
22 For it hurls at him, and does not spare, as he flees away from his hand.
23 Men will clap their hands at him, and will hiss him out of his place.