Job 20:7
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Job 20:7 · King James Version
Meaning
When examining the verse "Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?", it is important to understand that the imagery presented here is one of destruction and judgment. The comparison of a person perishing like their own waste emphasizes the idea of ultimate decay and worthlessness. The phrase "Where is he?" spoken by those who once saw the individual highlights the sudden absence and disappearance of the person who faced this fate. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of a life lived in sin and rebellion against God. Just as dung is discarded and forgotten, so too shall the unrepentant sinner face ultimate oblivion. It is a sobering depiction of the fate that awaits those who choose to reject God's grace and mercy. Through this verse, readers are urged to reflect on the fleeting nature of human life and the eternal consequences of their choices.
Theological Overview
This verse from Job 20:7 paints a vivid picture of the fate of the wicked. The imagery of perishing "like his own dung" is a strong and visceral reminder of the ultimate end of those who oppose God. In theological interpretation, this verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of living a life contrary to God's will. The comparison to dung highlights the insignificance and worthlessness of those who choose to live in opposition to God. The question posed by those who have witnessed the destruction of the wicked, "Where is he?" serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate fate of those who reject God's ways. This verse serves as a warning to all who read it, emphasizing the importance of living a life in alignment with God's will in order to avoid the same fate as the wicked being described here.
Job 20:7 in other translations
American Standard Version
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?
World English Bible
yet he shall perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him shall say, ‘Where is he?’
Douay-Rheims
In the end he shall be destroyed like a dunghill, and they that had seen him, shall say: Where is he?
Geneva Bible (1599)
Yet shall hee perish for euer, like his dung, and they which haue seene him, shall say, Where is hee?