What does Job 20:6 mean?

"Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;" - Job 20:6

"Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;" - Job 20:6

Job 20:6 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;"

This verse is part of a speech given by Zophar, one of Job's friends, as he continues to argue with Job about the reasons behind his suffering. Zophar is speaking about the fate of the wicked and is asserting that they will eventually be brought low, regardless of their current status or wealth.

The imagery used in this verse is powerful and vivid, describing a person who seems to be at the height of success and power. Zophar describes someone whose "excellency" or greatness seems to reach up to the heavens and whose head reaches unto the clouds. This imagery emphasizes the idea of someone who is seemingly untouchable and beyond the reach of ordinary mortals.

The context of this verse is important to understand its full meaning. Job, the central figure in the Book of Job, has been subjected to immense suffering and has lost everything he once had. His friends, including Zophar, have come to comfort him, but they end up debating with him about the reasons for his suffering. Zophar, in this particular speech, is arguing that the wicked may seem to be successful and powerful for a time, but ultimately they will face divine judgment and be brought low.

The verse can be interpreted in several ways. On one level, it can be seen as a warning against pride and arrogance. The image of someone whose head reaches unto the clouds suggests someone who is lofty and full of themselves. This can serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing oneself above others or thinking too highly of one's own accomplishments.

Furthermore, the verse can also be seen as a reflection of the transient nature of human success and power. Despite the outward appearance of success and greatness, Zophar is emphasizing that the wicked will eventually be brought low by divine judgment. This speaks to the idea of the ultimately fleeting nature of worldly success and the importance of humility and righteousness.

Symbolically, the imagery of reaching up to the heavens and the clouds can be seen as a representation of human pride and ambition. The heavens and the clouds are often used in the Bible to represent the divine realm, and by describing someone whose head reaches unto the clouds, Zophar may be suggesting that the wicked are attempting to elevate themselves to a position of divine authority or glory. This symbolizes the dangers of trying to elevate oneself to a level that is beyond one's rightful place.

In conclusion, Job 20:6 in the KJV is a powerful and evocative verse that speaks to the themes of human pride, the transient nature of worldly success, and the ultimate judgment of the wicked. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and the importance of humility and righteousness. The vivid imagery used in this verse emphasizes the precariousness of human greatness and the necessity of remaining humble in the face of divine judgment.

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Job 20:6 Artwork

Job 20:6 - "Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;"

Job 20:6 - "Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;"

"Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;" - Job 20:6

"Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;" - Job 20:6

Job 6:20 - "They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed."

Job 6:20 - "They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed."

"They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed." - Job 6:20

"They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed." - Job 6:20

Job 6:1 - "But Job answered and said,"

Job 6:1 - "But Job answered and said,"

Job 1:20

Job 1:20

Job 1:20

Job 1:20

Job 3:20-21 - "Job 3:20-21: Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure?"

Job 3:20-21 - "Job 3:20-21: Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure?"

Job 40:6 - "¶ Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,"

Job 40:6 - "¶ Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,"

Job 1:20 - "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,"

Job 1:20 - "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,"

Job 20:5 - "That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?"

Job 20:5 - "That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?"

Job 20:1 - "Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,"

Job 20:1 - "Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,"

Job 20:20 - "Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired."

Job 20:20 - "Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired."

"But Job answered and said," - Job 6:1

"But Job answered and said," - Job 6:1

Job 28:20 - "Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?"

Job 28:20 - "Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?"

Job 27:6

Job 27:6

Job 36:20 - "Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place."

Job 36:20 - "Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place."

Job 6:6 - "Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?"

Job 6:6 - "Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?"

Job 20:4 - "Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,"

Job 20:4 - "Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,"

Job 20:17 - "He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter."

Job 20:17 - "He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter."

Job 4:20 - "They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it."

Job 4:20 - "They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it."

Job 3:20 - "Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;"

Job 3:20 - "Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;"

Job 29:20 - "My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand."

Job 29:20 - "My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand."

Job 22:20 - "Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth."

Job 22:20 - "Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth."

Job 33:20 - "So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat."

Job 33:20 - "So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat."

Job 20:13 - "Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:"

Job 20:13 - "Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:"

Job 12:20 - "He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged."

Job 12:20 - "He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged."

"¶ Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said," - Job 40:6

"¶ Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said," - Job 40:6

Job 32:20 - "I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer."

Job 32:20 - "I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer."

Job 27:20 - "Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night."

Job 27:20 - "Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night."