Job 27 · a question people ask

Much of 27:13-23 sounds like what the friends have said. Whose words are these?

In the text

By the book's headings, Job's. The heading is "Job again took up his parable, and said" (27:1); chapter 28 has no heading of its own, and the next heading is the same words again (29:1). Some of these verses are close to the friends' words. "This is the portion of a wicked man with God" (27:13) sits beside Zophar's "This is the portion of a wicked man from God" (20:29); in Hebrew the first four words of the two verses are the same. "Terrors overtake him like waters" (27:20) sits beside Bildad's "Terrors will make him afraid on every side" (18:11), where Terrors is the same Hebrew word. "It sweeps him out of his place" (27:21) sits beside Bildad's "If he is destroyed from his place" (8:18), where from his place is the same Hebrew word. Some are close to Job's own words. In chapter 21 he asked, "How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?" (21:18); here he says, "A storm steals him away in the night" (27:20), and in Hebrew the storm carries away and A storm steals him away are the same two words (tap storm). In chapter 21 he said of the wicked, "Their child is established with them in their sight" (21:8); here he says, "If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword" (27:14). Just before these verses Job says to the friends, "I will teach you about the hand of God" (27:11), and "Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?" (27:12). The book doesn't say how 27:13-23 fits beside chapter 21. Readers take these verses in more than one way. These notes keep to the book's headings, and don't decide.

The verses

“Job again took up his parable, and said,”
Job 27:1 · World English Bible
“Job again took up his parable, and said,”
Job 29:1 · World English Bible
““This is the portion of a wicked man with God, the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.”
Job 27:13 · World English Bible
“This is the portion of a wicked man from God, the heritage appointed to him by God.””
Job 20:29 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 27

Job 27: Until I die

Job swears that God "has taken away my right" (27:2) and that he will not "put away my integrity" (27:5): in Hebrew taken away and put away are one verb. And integrity and hold fast (27:5-6) are the words of chapter 2's "He still maintains his integrity" (2:3).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Job 27

All questions about Job →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions