Job 20:12
Job 20:12 in Multiple Translations
Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,
Though evil-doing is sweet in his mouth, and he keeps it secretly under his tongue;
Though evil tastes sweet in their mouths and they hide it under their tongues,
When wickednesse was sweete in his mouth, and he hid it vnder his tongue,
Though he doth sweeten evil in his mouth, Doth hide it under his tongue,
“Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue,
Though wickedness may be sweet in his mouth, though he may hide it under his tongue;
For when evil shall be sweet in his mouth, he will hide it under his tongue.
“Doing wicked things was like having sweet food in their mouths, and they wanted to continue to taste it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 20:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 20:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
תַּמְתִּ֣יק
בְּ/פִ֣י/ו
רָעָ֑ה
יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗/נָּה
תַּ֣חַת
לְשׁוֹנֽ/וֹ
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
תַּמְתִּ֣יק
mâthaq
H4985
be sweet
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs
בְּ/פִ֣י/ו
peh
H6310
lip
Prep | N-ms | Suff
רָעָ֑ה
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs
יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗/נָּה
kâchad
H3582
to hide
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
לְשׁוֹנֽ/וֹ
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 20:12
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
תַּמְתִּ֣יק
mâthaq
H4985
"be sweet"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs
To be sweet means to be pleasing or enjoyable, like a sweet taste or a pleasant conversation. It can also mean to suck, like a baby nursing, and is used in Psalm 119:103 to describe the sweetness of God's words.
Definition: 1) to be or become sweet or pleasing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be or become sweet 1a2) to be or become pleasant 1a3) to suck 1b) (Hiphil) to give sweet taste Also means: ma.taq (מָתָק "to sweeten" H4988)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: be (made, [idiom] take) sweet. See also: Exodus 15:25; Job 21:33; Psalms 55:15.
בְּ/פִ֣י/ו
peh
H6310
"lip"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
רָעָ֑ה
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗/נָּה
kâchad
H3582
"to hide"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Kachad means to hide or conceal, and can also mean to destroy or cut off. It is used to describe being hidden or effaced.
Definition: 1) to hide, conceal, cut off, cut down, make desolate, kick 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be hidden 1a2) to be effaced, be destroyed, be cut off 1b) (Piel) to cover, hide 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to hide 1c2) to efface, annihilate
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: conceal, cut down (off), desolate, hide. See also: Genesis 47:18; Job 22:20; Psalms 40:11.
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
לְשׁוֹנֽ/וֹ
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
N-cs | Suff
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
Study Notes — Job 20:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 20:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 20:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 20:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:12
- Cambridge Bible on Job 20:12
- Barnes' Notes on Job 20:12
- Sermons on Job 20:12
Context — Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
10His sons will seek the favor of the poor, for his own hands must return his wealth.
11The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie down with him in the dust.
12Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,
13though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth, 14yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 15:16 | how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water? |
| 2 | Psalms 10:7 | His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 11:9 | Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. |
| 4 | Proverbs 20:17 | Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel. |
| 5 | Proverbs 9:17–18 | “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. |
| 6 | Genesis 3:6 | When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. |
| 7 | Psalms 109:17–18 | The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him. The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. |
Job 20:12 Summary
This verse, Job 20:12, talks about how some people might enjoy doing wrong things, even if they try to hide it. It's like when something tastes good to us, but it's actually bad for us, similar to how Eve was tempted by the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3:6. The problem is, just like food can make us sick if it's bad for us, doing wrong can hurt us deeply, as seen in the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. We need to be careful what we allow into our hearts and minds, because it can affect our whole lives, as warned in Psalms 1:1-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for evil to be sweet in someone's mouth?
This phrase suggests that the person finds sin or wrongdoing to be appealing and enjoyable, as seen in Job 20:12, similar to the temptation described in Genesis 3:6 where the forbidden fruit was desirable to Eve.
Why would someone conceal evil under their tongue?
Concealing evil under the tongue, as mentioned in Job 20:12, implies that the person is hiding their true intentions or desires, much like Ananias and Sapphira hid their deceit in Acts 5:1-11.
Is this verse talking about a specific person or a general principle?
While the verse is addressed to a specific individual, the principle applies broadly to anyone who indulges in sin, as warned in Psalms 1:1-3, where walking in the counsel of the wicked can lead to spiritual downfall.
How does this relate to the overall message of the book of Job?
This verse contributes to the book's exploration of suffering and sin, highlighting the consequences of indulging in evil, which is a theme also seen in Proverbs 10:16 where the wages of the righteous and wicked are contrasted.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that evil or sin can seem 'sweet' in my own life, and how can I guard against this temptation?
- In what ways do I conceal my true intentions or desires, and what would happen if they were exposed to the light of God's truth?
- How does the idea that evil can be hidden under the tongue challenge my understanding of the nature of sin and deception?
- What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that my words and actions align with God's will, rather than hiding evil under my tongue?
Gill's Exposition on Job 20:12
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth,.... Which may respect some particular sin, and by the context it seems to be the sin of covetousness, or of getting riches in an unlawful way, which is very
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:12
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; Be - `taste sweet.' Sin's fascination is like poison, sweet to the taste, but at last deadly to the vital organs (Proverbs
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:12
In his mouth, i.e. to his taste, though it greatly please him for the present. Though he hide it under his tongue; as an epicure doth a sweet morsel, which he is loth to swallow, and therefore keeps and rolls it about his mouth that he may longer enjoy the pleasure of it: though he be highly pleased with his lusts, and cleave to them in hearty love, and resolve to hold them fast, and improve them to the greatest delight and advantage.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:12
Job 20:12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, [though] he hide it under his tongue;Ver. 12. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth] As poison swallowed in some pleasing meat or drink. Agrippina, in poisoning her husband, Claudius the emperor, tempered it in meat he most delighted in. Poison given in wine works more furiously, as did that wassail the monk drank to King John of England. That wickedness with a witness here meant is oppression, and is said to be held in the mouth, and hid under the tongue, as some think, because it is oft covered with godly speeches, whereby he seeketh to circumvent and deceive his neighbour. Others by these expressions will have understood continuance in sin and complacency therein, rolling it under his tongue, as a child doth a piece of sugar, which he is loth to part with, and retaining it a long time in his mouth, that he may taste it with more pleasure. Philoxenus wished his neck were as long as a crane’ s, that he might the longer keep the taste of his sweetmeats and dainty morsels. Such is the wicked man’ s wish, and his practice is answerable; for under his tongue is mischief and vanity, Psalms 10:7. He licks his lips with the remembrance of his former sins, and so recommitteth them in his desires, at least, while he recalleth former acts with delight. Thus the rebellious Israelites called to mind the flesh-pots of Egypt, and were moved; and thus afterwards they multiplied their whoredoms by calling to remembrance the days of their youth, wherein they had gone a whoring in the land of Egypt, Ezekiel 23:21.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 20:12
(12) Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth.—He draws a picture of the wicked man after the pattern of a gourmand or glutton, which, if it were intended to apply to Job, was a fresh instance of heartless cruelty, as well as of an entire want of discernment of character, and of unfitness for the office of judge he was so ready to assume. It is possible that the reproach here aimed at Job was that of inordinate love of riches, which Zophar extracts from the bare fact of his having been a wealthy man.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:12
Verse 12. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth] This seems to refer to the secret sins mentioned above. Hide it under his tongue] This and the four following verses contain an allegory; and the reference is to a man who, instead of taking wholesome food, takes what is poisonous, and is so delighted with it because it is sweet, that he rolls it under his tongue, and will scarcely let it down into his stomach, he is so delighted with the taste; "he spares it, and forsakes it not, but keeps it still within his mouth," Job 20:13. "But when he swallows it, it is turned to the gall of asps within him," Job 20:14, which shall corrode and torture his bowels.
Cambridge Bible on Job 20:12
12–22. His sin changes into his punishment.
Barnes' Notes on Job 20:12
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth - Though he has pleasure in committing it, as he has in pleasant food.
Sermons on Job 20:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Growth Follows Revival by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, B. Earl shares a personal story about his struggles as an evangelist. He describes how he prepared tough and hard-hitting sermons in an attempt to reach stubborn pe |
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Sinners Delay Concerns the Soul by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches on sinners delaying concerns of the soul, focusing on how individuals often postpone addressing their spiritual needs for what they perceive as a more con |
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The Mischief of Sin by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the mischief of sin, highlighting God's mercy in saving Christians from persisting in sin and the consequences of unrepentant sinners storing up wrath |
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To Fill Heaven With Hells by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the grave condition of wicked men who willingly indulge in sin, illustrating how their hearts are hardened and their consciences seared. He warns that such |
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Under Sin by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of sin on the human mind and its ability to comprehend spiritual matters. He highlights the irony of highly intelligent individuals |
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Bearing the Rod by A.W. Pink | The preacher delves into the concept of cursing, originally meaning a wish or prayer for harm, but evolving into an invocation of evil upon another. Cursing involves expressing a d |
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Youth by Matt Chandler | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the importance of taking steps and not being afraid to fail. He emphasizes that God's power flows through us and that we should embrace the |