Job 20:15

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 20:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.
Job 20:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He hath swallowed down riches, etc.] Not his own, but another’s, which he has spoiled him of and devoured, with as much eagerness, pleasure, and delight, as a hungry man swallows down his food; having an excessive and immoderate love of riches, and an insatiable desire after them, which make him stop at nothing, though ever so illicit, to obtain them; and when he has got them into his possession, thinks them as safe as the food in his belly, and never once dreams of refunding them, which yet he must do, as follows: and he shall vomit them up again; that is, make restoration of them, not freely, but forcedly, with great reluctance, much pain of mind, and gripes of conscience: God shall cast…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He is forced to disgorge his ill-gotten wealth.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He hath swallowed down riches - He has “glutted” down riches - or gormandized them - or devoured them greedily. The Hebrew word בלע bela‛, means “to absorb, to devour with the idea of greediness.” It is descriptive of the voracity of a wild beast, and means here that he had devoured them eagerly, or voraciously. And he shall vomit - As an epicure does that which he has drunk or swallowed with delight. “Noyes.” The idea is, that he shall lose that which he has acquired, and that it will be attended with loathing. All this is to a great extent true still, and may be applied to those who aim to accumulate wealth, and to lay up ill gotten gold. It will be ruinous to their peace; and the time…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Vomit - Be forced to restore them. God, &c. - If no man's hand can reach him, God shall find him out. Job 20:17”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“swallowed: Pro 23:8; Mat 27:3, Mat 27:4 Job 20:16”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification