Job 20:6
Job 20:6 in Multiple Translations
Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds,
Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;
Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds;
Though he is lifted up to the heavens, and his head goes up to the clouds;
Even though they are so tall they reach the heavens, even though their heads reach the clouds,
Though his excellencie mount vp to the heauen, and his head reache vnto the cloudes,
Though his excellency go up to the heavens, And his head against a cloud he strike —
Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds,
Though his excellence shall mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds;
If his pride mount up even to heaven, and his head touch the clouds:
Even though their reputation/pride reaches up to the sky and their fame goes up as high as the clouds,
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 20:6
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 20:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
לַ/שָּׁמַ֣יִם
שִׂיא֑/וֹ
וְ֝/רֹאשׁ֗/וֹ
לָ/עָ֥ב
יַגִּֽיעַ
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לַ/שָּׁמַ֣יִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Prep | N-mp
שִׂיא֑/וֹ
sîyʼ
H7863
loftiness
N-ms | Suff
וְ֝/רֹאשׁ֗/וֹ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
Conj | N-ms | Suff
לָ/עָ֥ב
ʻâb
H5645
cloud
Prep | N-cs
יַגִּֽיעַ
nâgaʻ
H5060
to touch
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
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 20:6
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.
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
לַ/שָּׁמַ֣יִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
שִׂיא֑/וֹ
sîyʼ
H7863
"loftiness"
N-ms | Suff
This word describes a sense of pride or 'loftiness', often used to convey a feeling of superiority or arrogance. In the Bible, it's translated as 'excellency' or 'pride', and is often associated with a negative attitude or behavior.
Definition: loftiness (of pride)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: excellency. See also: Job 20:6.
וְ֝/רֹאשׁ֗/וֹ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
לָ/עָ֥ב
ʻâb
H5645
"cloud"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, this word means a dark cloud or a thicket, often used to describe a place of refuge or a sign of God's presence, as seen in 2 Chronicles 4:17. It can also refer to a cloudy or thick atmosphere. The word is used to describe natural phenomena and is found in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) darkness, cloud, thicket 1a) dark cloud 1b) cloud mass 1c) thicket (as refuge)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: clay, (thick) cloud, [idiom] thick, thicket. Compare H5672 (עֲבִי). See also: Exodus 19:9; Psalms 18:13; Psalms 18:12.
יַגִּֽיעַ
nâgaʻ
H5060
"to touch"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to touch or reach something, and can also mean to strike or defeat someone. It is used in Exodus to describe God's power and in Psalms to describe human emotions. The word has various translations, including beat, bring, and plague.
Definition: 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. See also: Genesis 3:3; 2 Chronicles 3:12; Psalms 32:6.
Study Notes — Job 20:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 20:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 20:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:6
- Cambridge Bible on Job 20:6
- Barnes' Notes on Job 20:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:6
- Sermons on Job 20:6
Context — Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
4Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,
5the 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,
7he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ 8He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 14:13–14 | You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” |
| 2 | Obadiah 1:3–4 | The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. |
| 3 | Genesis 11:4 | “Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.” |
| 4 | Matthew 11:23 | And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. |
| 5 | Amos 9:2 | Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. |
| 6 | Daniel 4:11 | The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. |
| 7 | Daniel 4:22 | you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth. |
Job 20:6 Summary
[This verse is talking about someone who is very proud and full of themselves, and it uses a powerful image to describe just how proud they are - their arrogance reaches the heavens and their head touches the clouds. This means they think they are above everyone and everything else, and they have no regard for God or others. But as we see in other parts of the Bible, such as Psalm 52:7, God is not pleased with the proud and will ultimately bring them down. We can learn from this verse to be humble and recognize our place before God, as seen in Micah 6:8, which reminds us to walk humbly with God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for someone's arrogance to reach the heavens?
This phrase is a metaphor for extreme pride and self-exaltation, as seen in the example of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:13-14, who sought to elevate his throne above the stars of God.
Is it possible for a person's head to literally touch the clouds?
No, this is a figurative expression, similar to the language used in Psalm 36:5, which describes God's righteousness reaching to the skies, emphasizing the idea that the wicked person's pride is boundless and seems to have no limits.
Why does the Bible use such vivid and exaggerated language to describe the wicked?
The Bible uses vivid language to convey the seriousness of sin and the dangers of pride, as seen in Proverbs 16:18, which warns that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Job?
This verse is part of a larger discussion about the nature of wickedness and the fleeting nature of earthly success, as seen in Job 20:4-5, which reminds us that the triumph of the wicked is brief and their joy is momentary, and ultimately, God is the one who judges the wicked, as seen in Job 31:2-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be exhibiting pride or arrogance in my own life, and how can I humble myself before God?
- How does the image of someone's head touching the clouds make me think about my own limitations and the dangers of self-exaltation?
- What are some ways in which I can cultivate a spirit of humility, as seen in Matthew 18:4, where Jesus teaches that whoever humbles himself like a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- How can I balance confidence and self-assurance with humility, remembering that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, as seen in James 4:6-10?
Gill's Exposition on Job 20:6
Though his excellency mount up to the heavens,.... Though, in worldly grandeur and glory, he should arrive to such a pitch as the Assyrian monarch was ambitious of, as to ascend into heaven, exalt
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 20:6
Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; (Isaiah 14:13).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 20:6
Though he be advanced to great dignity and authority in the world.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 20:6
Job 20:6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;Ver. 6. Though his excellency mount up to the heavens] Though he conceit himself, and would have others hold him to be, more than a man, and to accord him divine honour. If his pride ascend even up to heaven, so the Vulgate rendereth it. If his gifts ascend up to heaven, so the Septuagint: and indeed hypocrites are ever lifted up with their gifts, as some Corinthians were with their waxen wings, 1 Corinthians 8:1, being enriched in all utterance and knowledge, and coming behind others in no gift, 1 Corinthians 1:7, yet were they babes at best, and carnal, walking as men, 1 Corinthians 3:2-3; their religion was more in notion than in motion; they had the spiritual rickets, which, having grown big in the head, &c.; as the moon, they increased in light, but not in heat. In which respect, also, and for her external privileges, Capernaum is said to be lifted up to heaven, Matthew 11:23; and the temporary, to taste of the heavenly gift, to partake of the powers of the world to come, Hebrews 6:4-5. And his head reach unto the clouds] Aequalis astris gradior, saith he in the poet (Sen. in Thyest.), and Bibulus in Coelo est, saith the orator (Cic. ad Attic.). The heathen rhetoric is but dull stuff to that in this Book; and indeed in this one chapter. A hypocrite’ s head is oft above the clouds of heaven when his heart is beneath the clods of earth; like the eagle, which, when he soareth highest of all, even out of sight almost, hath his eye all the while upon his prey below. Or like the apricot tree, which shoots up and leans upon the wall, but is fast rooted in the earth. This whole allusion may be unto a tree, like that of Nebuchadnezzar, whose height was great, and reached unto heaven, Daniel 4:10-11; Daniel 4:22.
Or that of the Amorite, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks, Amos 2:9.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 20:6
Verse 6. Though his excellency mount up to the heavens] Probably referring to the original state of Adam, of whose fall he appears to have spoken, Job 20:4. He was created in the image of God; but by his sin against his Maker he fell into wretchedness, misery, death, and destruction.
Cambridge Bible on Job 20:6
6. his excellency] Or, his height, or rising up (Psalms 89:9); cf. Isaiah 14:13-15, Obad. Job 20:4.
Barnes' Notes on Job 20:6
Though his excellency mount up to the heavens - Though he attain to the highest pitch of honor and prosperity.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 20:6
First strophe expands the aphorism just announced, (Job 20:4-5,) — Like a lofty tree, he may mount up to heaven, yet with ignominy, and, suddenly, shall he perish, and his wealth be swept away with him, (Job 20:6-11.)6.
Sermons on Job 20:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Satan Is Alive and Well by Hal Lindsey | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the existence of a powerful and real spiritual being behind the conflicts and suffering in the world. He emphasizes the importance of understa |
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Gods Order in Christ - Part 9 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and abiding in the word of God. They highlight the battle between life and death and the need for spiritual tog |
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Abraham, My Friend: 05 Looking Forward to the City by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker explores the life of Abraham and his journey towards becoming a praying man and a friend of God. The importance of the first step in any venture is emph |
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Satan's Religion by B.H. Clendennen | This sermon delves into the dangers of Satan's religion, focusing on how he seeks to dilute and compromise the message of Christ by promoting counterfeit doctrines and false teachi |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 97 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of God and how believers should not be defeated by the lies of the enemy. He highlights the need for revival and how it reveals ar |
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I. the Origin of the Tempter by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee explores the origin of the tempter, revealing that he was once a beautiful and wise creature who fell from grace by aspiring to be equal with God. This pride led to hi |
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The True Life and the False Life by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the distinction between true life, which is eternal life found in Jesus Christ, and false life, which is a deceptive imitation offered by Satan. He expl |