Job 20:5
New International Version
that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.

New Living Translation
the triumph of the wicked has been short lived and the joy of the godless has been only temporary?

English Standard Version
that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?

Berean Standard Bible
the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?

King James Bible
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

New King James Version
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

New American Standard Bible
That the rejoicing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?

NASB 1995
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?

NASB 1977
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?

Legacy Standard Bible
That the shouts of joy of the wicked are short, And the gladness of the godless momentary?

Amplified Bible
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless is only for a moment?

Christian Standard Bible
the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment?

American Standard Version
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?

Contemporary English Version
that sinful people are happy for only a while.

English Revised Version
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
the triumph of the wicked is short-lived, and the joy of the godless person lasts only a moment?

Good News Translation
no wicked people have been happy for long.

International Standard Version
The wicked triumph only briefly; the joy of the godless is momentary.

Majority Standard Bible
the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?

NET Bible
that the elation of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.

New Heart English Bible
that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?

Webster's Bible Translation
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

World English Bible
that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
That the singing of the wicked [is] short, "" And the joy of the profane for a moment,

Young's Literal Translation
That the singing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the profane for a moment,

Smith's Literal Translation
For the rejoicing of the unjust drawing near, and the gladness of the profane even for a moment.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
that the praise of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
that the praise of the impious shall be short, and the joy of the hypocrite lasts only a moment.

New American Bible
The triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the impious but for a moment?

New Revised Standard Version
that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless is but for a moment?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because the boasting of the wicked from within them, and the rejoicing of the godless one until now is for a little time
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, and the joy of transgressors is destruction:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
4Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth, 5 the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? 6Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds,…

Cross References
Psalm 37:35-36
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.

Psalm 73:18-20
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.

Proverbs 14:11
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

Proverbs 24:19-20
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.

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
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.

Isaiah 40:24
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.

Jeremiah 12:1-2
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.

Habakkuk 1:13
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?

Malachi 3:15
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”

Matthew 7:13-14
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.

Matthew 13:49-50
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.

Luke 6:24-25
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.

Luke 12:19-20
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?’

Luke 16:25
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.

John 12:25
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.


Treasury of Scripture

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

the triumphing

Job 5:3
I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

Job 15:29-34
He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth…

Job 18:5,6
Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine…

short.

Job 8:19
Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

Job 27:8
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Matthew 7:21
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.

Jump to Previous
Brief Evil-Doer Exultation Exulting Godless Hypocrite Joy Lasts Minute Mirth Moment Momentary Pride Profane Short Singing Sinner Triumphing Ungodly Wicked
Jump to Next
Brief Evil-Doer Exultation Exulting Godless Hypocrite Joy Lasts Minute Mirth Moment Momentary Pride Profane Short Singing Sinner Triumphing Ungodly Wicked
Job 20
1. Zophar shows the state and portion of the wicked














the triumph of the wicked
The Hebrew word for "triumph" here is "רִנָּה" (rinnah), which can also mean a shout of joy or jubilation. This suggests that the wicked may experience moments of apparent victory or success, but these are superficial and fleeting. Historically, the wicked often seem to prosper, as seen in various biblical narratives, yet their triumph is not enduring. The Bible consistently teaches that true victory belongs to those who are righteous before God. This phrase serves as a reminder that any success achieved through wickedness is ultimately hollow and temporary.

has been brief
The Hebrew word "קָטָן" (qaton) is used here, meaning small or insignificant in duration. This emphasizes the transient nature of the wicked's success. In the grand scheme of God's eternal plan, the time during which the wicked seem to prosper is but a fleeting moment. This perspective encourages believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary gains. The brevity of the wicked's triumph is a recurring theme in Scripture, underscoring the ultimate justice and sovereignty of God.

and the joy of the godless
The term "joy" in Hebrew is "שִׂמְחָה" (simchah), which refers to gladness or mirth. The "godless," or "חָנֵף" (chaneph), are those who are morally corrupt or impious. This phrase highlights the deceptive nature of the joy experienced by those who live without regard for God. While they may appear to be joyful, their happiness is shallow and lacks the depth and permanence found in a life aligned with God's will. The joy of the godless is often rooted in material or worldly success, which is ultimately unsatisfying.

momentary
The Hebrew word "רֶגַע" (rega) means a brief instant or a moment. This word reinforces the idea that the pleasures and successes of the godless are ephemeral. In the context of eternity, the momentary joy of the godless is insignificant. This serves as a powerful reminder to believers to invest in what is eternal and lasting, rather than being swayed by the temporary allure of worldly pleasures. The fleeting nature of the godless's joy is a call to seek the enduring joy that comes from a relationship with God.

(5) The triumphing of the wicked is short.--He affirms that the destruction of the wicked is not only certain, but speedy. (Comp. Psalm 103:16 and Job 7:8; Job 7:10.)

Verse 5. - That the triumphing of the wicked is short (comp. Psalm 37:35, 36; Psalm 51:1-5; Psalm 73:17-19, etc.). This is one of the main points of dispute between Job and his opponents. It has been previously maintained by Eliphaz (Job 4:8-11; Job 5:3-5; Job 15:21, 29) and by Bildad (Job 8:11-19), 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" (Job 21:7); he has seen them "spend their days in wealth," and die quietly, as "in a moment" (Job 21:13). In Job 24:2-24 he seems to argue that this is the general, if not universal, lot of such persons. Later on, however, in Job 27:13-23, 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.

"Raro antecedentem scelestum,
Deseruit pede poena claudlo."


(Horace, 'Od.,' 3:2, ll. 31, 32.) 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the triumph
רִנְנַ֣ת (rin·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7445: A ringing cry

of the wicked
רְ֭שָׁעִים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

has been brief
מִקָּר֑וֹב (miq·qā·rō·wḇ)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7138: Near

and the joy
וְשִׂמְחַ֖ת (wə·śim·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

of the godless
חָנֵ֣ף (ḥā·nêp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2611: Profane, irreligious

momentary?
רָֽגַע׃ (rā·ḡa‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7281: A wink, a very short space of time


Links
Job 20:5 NIV
Job 20:5 NLT
Job 20:5 ESV
Job 20:5 NASB
Job 20:5 KJV

Job 20:5 BibleApps.com
Job 20:5 Biblia Paralela
Job 20:5 Chinese Bible
Job 20:5 French Bible
Job 20:5 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked (Jb)
Job 20:4
Top of Page
Top of Page