Job 20:7 — Word Study
WLCכְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ לָנֶ֣צַח יֹאבֵ֑ד רֹ֝אָ֗יו יֹאמְר֥וּ אַיּֽוֹ׃
BSAhe will perishʼâbad▸ [be destroyed, come to an end] forevernetsach [for perpetuity, everlasting] like his own dunggêlel [excrement, waste] those who had seen himrâʼâh [looked after, provided for] will askʼâmar▸ Where is heʼay [how, in what place, has he gone, what happened to him]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ | like own dung his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לָנֶ֣צַח | to perpetuity | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יֹאבֵ֑ד | he will perish | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| רֹ֝אָ֗יו | [those who] saw him | Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| יֹאמְר֥וּ | they will say | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| אַיּֽוֹ׃ | where [is]? he | Particle, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ |
| KJV | Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? |
| ASV | Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he? |
| YLT | As his own dung for ever he doth perish, His beholders say: 'Where [is] he?' |
| WEB | yet he will perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’ |
| BBE | Like the waste from his body he comes to an end for ever: those who have seen him say, Where is he? |
Where they part company is יֹאבֵ֑ד — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a simile and a subordinate clause, illustrating the fate of the arrogant and the reaction of those who once knew them.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָבַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 20:7
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Fate of the Wickedgenerated
Job 20:7 reflects on the fate of the wicked, illustrating that despite their apparent success, they will ultimately face destruction. Job emphasizes that their end is as worthless as dung, and those who once saw them will wonder where they have gone. This stark imagery serves to highlight the transient nature of their lives and the certainty of their demise.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 14:10 | Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone! |
| 2 | 2 Kings 9:37 | And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’ ” |
| 3 | Psalm 83:10 | who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 8:2 | They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground. |
| 5 | Job 14:10 | But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ, ke.ge.la.logenerated
The word כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ (ke.ge.la.lo) is a prepositional phrase meaning 'like his own dung.' It refers specifically to dung or excrement, often seen as unclean and worthless. In this verse, it underscores the idea that the arrogant will be treated as something of no value, emphasizing their ultimate fate.
This word is derived from a root that conveys the idea of something that is cast aside. The use of this term in Job serves to illustrate the complete and utter destruction of the wicked, contrasting their previous pride with their final state of worthlessness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יֹאבֵ֑ד (yo.Ved), meaning 'he will perish,' governs the main clause of the verse, which is followed by a simile that compares the fate of the wicked to dung. The structure emphasizes the certainty of their demise.
The sentence is constructed with a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase and a subordinate clause, illustrating the relationship between the subject's fate and the perception of those who once knew him.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יֹאבֵ֑ד as ἀπολεῖται (apoleitai), meaning 'he will be destroyed.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizes the finality of destruction, suggesting a complete loss of existence.
The Greek rendering of כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ is absent in the Septuagint, indicating a possible interpretive choice by the translators to convey the concept of worthlessness without directly referencing dung.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 20:7 states that the arrogant will perish like dung, emphasizing their ultimate destruction. Those who once saw them will wonder where they have gone, highlighting the transient nature of their existence.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This metaphor illustrates the complete worthlessness of the arrogant's fate, emphasizing that they will be treated as something undesirable and discarded.
Those who had previously seen the arrogant will ask this question, indicating their surprise at the sudden absence of someone who once seemed powerful.
It implies a final and irreversible destruction, indicating that the arrogant will not return or regain their former status.
This verse reflects the theme of divine justice, showing that despite the apparent success of the wicked, they will ultimately face judgment and destruction.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see arrogance in myself or others, and how can I address it?
- How does the imagery of worthlessness in this verse challenge my understanding of success?
- What does this verse teach about the nature of divine justice?
- How can I remind myself of the temporary nature of earthly power and success?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 20:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung,.... Not only in this world, but in the world to come, both in his outward substance here, and in his body in the grave, and in his soul to all
Read John Gill on Job 20 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryYet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 20 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLike his own dung; which men cast away with contempt and abhorrency. Compare . They which have seen him, with admiration at his felicity. Where is he? i.e. he is no where to be found; he is utterly lost and gone.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 20 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 20:7 [Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?Ver. 7. Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung] Than the which nothing is more filthy and detestable. See this exemplified in Herod, Haman, Boniface VIII, bloody Bonner buried in a muck hill, &c. The word rendered dung hath its denomination from rolling, because it is rolled out of doors, and swept out of sight. Many instances hereof might be given in the pristine and modern persecutors, punished with ignominious and disgraceful ends. Sisera and Jabin perished at Endor, and became as dung for the earth, Psalms 83:10. Jehoram died undesired, Julian the apostate abhorred. God…
Read John Trapp on Job 20 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. He shall perish for ever] He is dust, and shall return to the dust from which he was taken. Zophar here hints his disbelief in that doctrine, the resurrection of the body, which Job had so solemnly asserted in the preceding chapter. Or he might have been like some in the present day, who believe that the wicked shall be annihilated, and the bodies of the righteous only be raised from the dead; but I know of no scripture by which such a doctrine is confirmed. Like his own dung] His reputation shall be abominable, and his putrid carcass shall resemble his own excrement. A speech that partakes as much of the malevolence as of the asperity of Zophar's spirit.
Read AdamClarke on Job 20 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. like his own dung] Zophar is not the most refined of the three, cf. 2 Kings 9:37. On the last words of the verse cf. ch. Job 14:10.
Read Cambridge on Job 20 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7. Like his own dung — Hirtzel renders the first clause: “According to his greatness so shall he perish forever.” So that “his destruction is the greater even as he himself is greater,” (Ewald,)
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 20 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’
yet he will perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’
he will perish forever, like his own excrement; those who used to see him will say, ‘Where is he?’
Tyndale line
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they who have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Yet shall hee perish for euer, like his dung, and they which haue seene him, shall say, Where is hee?
Strictly literal
Like his own dung doth he perish for ever; they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
As his own dung for ever he doth perish, His beholders say: 'Where [is] he?'
He perishes as his own dung forever, || His beholders say, Where [is] he?
Yet when he but turneth round will he vanish for ever; those who have seen him will say, Where is he?
yet such a person will perish permanently like his own feces; those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'
From the Latin
In the end he shall be destroyed like a dunghill, and they that has seen him shall say: Where is he?
Simplified
they will vanish forever like their own excrement. People who knew them will ask, ‘Where have they gone?’
Like the waste from his body he comes to an end for ever: those who have seen him say, Where is he?
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in meaning, with five of the six words matched. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the core message of destruction remains consistent.
כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ לָנֶ֣צַח יֹאבֵ֑ד רֹ֝אָ֗יו יֹאמְר֥וּ אַיּֽוֹ׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 20:7
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
גֵּל (gelel) refers to dung, specifically in the form of balls of dung. It is a variation of another Hebrew word related to dung and is classified as a masculine noun. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning without significant disagreement.
[גֵּל] n.[m.] dung (ball of dung)
base
H1561 גֵּל, גֵּלֶל
1561 gelel gay'-lel
a variation of 1557; dung (plural balls of dung):--dung.
see HEBREW for 01557
גֵּל (ge.lel) — dung.
dung, ball of dung
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
נֵ֫צַח (netsach) encompasses concepts of eminence, enduring strength, and perpetuity. It is derived from a root meaning 'goal' or 'bright object' and conveys ideas of splendor, truthfulness, and confidence. The term is used to express notions of victory and continual existence, often implying an everlasting quality.
נֵ֫צַח n.m. eminence, enduring, everlasting, perpetuity
base
H5331 נֵ֫צַח eminence, enduring, everlasting, perpetuity
5331 netsach neh'-tsakh
or netsach {nay'-tsakh}; from 5329; properly, a goal, i.e.
the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence
(figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or
(objectively) confidence; but usually (adverbially),
continually (i.e. to the most distant point of
view); --alway(-s), constantly, end, (+ n-)ever(more),
perpetual, strength, victory.
see HEBREW for 05329
נֵ֫צַח (ne.tsach) — perpetuity.
1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness
1a) eminence
1b) enduring of life
1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end
1d) everlastingness, ever
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
אָבַד (abad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to perish or be lost. It encompasses a range of meanings, including dying, vanishing, and destruction, often in a moral or judgment context. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, with uses related to individuals, nations, and inanimate objects. The lexicons indicate that it can also imply causing something to perish or stray.
אָבַד vb. perish (M I אבד, As. abâtu Dl W 184 Aram אֲבַד, Syriac).—
Qal Pf. א׳ Nu 21:30 +; אָבְדוּ ψ 10:16 + (+ Ez 6:3 𝔊 Co) etc.; Impf. יֹאבַד Jb 3:3 Je 4:9; יֹאבֵ֑ד Jb 20:7 + 2t.; 3fs. תֹּאבַד Dt 22:3 + 4t.; תֹּאבֵ֑ד Jb 8:13 + 3t.; יֹאבְדוּ Ju 5:31 + 3t.; יֹאבֵ֑דוּ Jb 4:9 +; 3fpl. וַתֹּאבַדְנָה֙ I S 9:3; תֹּאבֵדוּן Dt 4:26 +; נֹאבֵ֑ד Jon 1:6…
Read the full entry →H6 אָבַד perish .. perish, die, of individuals
. fig. perish, vanish, subj. memory
. be lost, strayed
. . cause to perish, destroy, kill
. fig. cause to vanish, blot out, do away with
. cause to stray, lose
. . destroy, put to death, in judgment
. fig. obj. name of kings; hope; voice of mirth etc.
6 'abad aw-bad'
a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose
oneself; by implication to perish (causative,
destroy):--break, destroy(- uction), + not escape, fail,
lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, X and surely, take, be
undone, X utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.
אָבַד (a.vad) — to perish.
1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) perish, die, be exterminated
1a2) perish, vanish (fig.)
1a3) be lost, strayed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate
1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.)
1b3) cause to stray, lose
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to destroy, put to death
1c1a) of divine judgment
1c2) object name of kings (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
V-Qal | Suff — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHVqrmpc/Sp3ms
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
אַי (ay) is an interrogative adverb meaning 'where?' It can also be prefixed to other adverbs or pronouns to add an interrogative force. The word covers a range of meanings related to location and inquiry, including 'how,' 'what,' and 'whence.'
[אַי]
interrog. adv. where?
prefixed to other adverbs or prons., אַי imparts an interrog. force
base
H335 אַי . interrog. adv. where?
. prefixed to other adverbs or prons., אַי imparts an interrog. force
335 'ay ah'ee
perhaps from 370; where? hence how?:--how, what, whence,
where, whether, which (way).
see HEBREW for 0370
אַי (ay) — where?.
1) whereto ?, whence?
2) which?, how? (in prefix with other adverb)
Part | Suff — Particle · suffixHTi/Sp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
