Job 20:25

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 20:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.
Job 20:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is drawn, and cometh out of the body, etc.] That is, the arrow with which a wicked man is stricken through; either it is drawn, and comes out of the quiver, as Broughton; or rather is drawn out of the body of a wicked man, being shot into it, and that in order that he may be cured of his wound if possible, but to no purpose, since it follows: yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall; being thrust into it, which being pierced and poured out, is certain and immediate death, (see <181613>Job 16:13). Some render it, yea, “the glittering [sword] out of his gall, he shall go away”, or “is gone” f795; that is, he shall die, or is a dead man, there is no hope of him, when the arrow has…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is drawn--Rather, "He (God) draweth (the sword, Jos 5:13) and (no sooner has He done so, than) it cometh out of (that is, passes right through) the (sinner's) body" (Deu 32:41-42; Eze 21:9-10). The glittering sword is a happy image for lightning. gall--that is, his life (Job 16:13). "Inflicts a deadly wound." terrors--Zophar repeats Bildad's words (Job 17:11; Psa 88:16; Psa 55:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is drawn - Or rather, “he draws” - that is, he draws out the arrow that has been shot at him; or it may mean, as Prof. Lee supposes, that he draws, that is, “someone” draws the arrow from its quiver, or the sword from its sheath, in order to smite him. The object is to describe his death, and to show that he should be certainly overtaken with calamity. Zophar, therefore, goes through the process by which he would be shot down, or shows that he could not escape. And cometh out of the body - That is, the arrow, or the glittering blade. It has penetrated the body, and passed through it. He shall be pierced through and through. The glittering sword - Hebrew ברק bârâq - “the glittering;”…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It - The arrow, which had entered into his body, and now was drawn out of it either by himself or some other person; having in general said, that it came out of his body, he determines also the part of the body, the gall; which shews that the wound was both deep and deadly. Terrors - The terrors of death; because he perceived his wound was incurable. Job 20:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:25 terrors of death: Although the words “of death” are not in the Hebrew, they are implied because the arrowhead glistens with blood (literally with gall), indicating a deadly hit on a vital organ (6:4; 16:13; Ps 7:12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“drawn: Job 16:13; Deu 32:41; Sa2 18:14; Psa 7:12 terrors: Job 6:4, Job 15:21, Job 18:11, Job 27:20; Psa 73:19, Psa 88:15; Jer 20:3, Jer 20:4; Co2 5:11 Job 20:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification