Meaning of Job 20:16

Job 20:16 states, "He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him." This verse is part of Zophar's speech, addressing Job and implying that the wicked, like a venomous snake, ultimately face destruction due to their own actions and lies.

Interpretative Insights

The verse employs vivid imagery, symbolizing the harmful consequences of deceit and wickedness. Drawing from public domain commentaries such as Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, and Adam Clarke, we can derive essential themes surrounding this passage:

• Poison as a Metaphor: The "poison of asps" represents the toxicity of the wicked's actions. Just as poison harms its victim, so do the schemes of the unrighteous eventually lead to their own downfall.
• Self-Destruction of the Wicked: Zophar suggests that those who oppose God and live in sin will face the consequence of their own actions, symbolized by the "viper's tongue" which is lethal.
• The Role of Divine Justice: The assertion speaks to the nature of God’s justice, portraying that ultimately, justice prevails against the deceitful, as seen throughout the Scriptures.

Bible Verse Cross-References

Here are several related scripture passages that provide further insight and thematic connections to Job 20:16:

• Psalm 140:3: "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips." - This passage also discusses the deadly nature of deceitful speech.
• Proverbs 12:13: "The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble." - Highlights the consequences of the wicked's words.
• James 3:8: "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." - Reinforces the idea that words can be lethal, echoing the theme found in Job.
• Job 15:35: "They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit." - Deals with the consequences of wickedness that leads to destruction.
• Isaiah 59:3: "For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness." - Connects the idea of sin and its fruits.
• Romans 6:21: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death." - Speaks about the outcome of sinful behavior.
• Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." - This encapsulates the principle of reaping and sowing, connecting to the judgment of the wicked.

Thematic Bible Verse Connections

The themes found in Job 20:16 are recurrent throughout the Scriptures, particularly emphasizing the dangers of wickedness and deceit. The following keywords describe these connections:

• Bible verse cross-references
• Connections between Bible verses
• Linking Bible scriptures
• Comparative Bible verse analysis
• Bible verses that relate to each other
• Cross-referencing Biblical texts
• Thematic Bible verse connections
• Bible verse parallels
• Scriptural cross-referencing
• Inter-Biblical dialogue

Tools for Bible Cross-Referencing

For deeper study and understanding, utilizing structured tools and resources can significantly enhance your exploration of Bible verses like Job 20:16. Consider the following:

• Bible concordance
• Bible cross-reference guide
• Cross-reference Bible study
• How to use Bible cross-references
• Bible cross-reference system
• Cross-referencing Bible study methods
• Bible reference resources
• Bible chain references
• Comprehensive Bible cross-reference materials

In conclusion, Job 20:16 serves as a profound reminder of the consequences that await the wicked. Through cross-referencing and thematic analysis, we uncover a tapestry of insight illustrating divine justice, the self-destructive nature of sin, and the enduring power of God's moral law within biblical text.