Job 20 12

Job 20:12 kjv

Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;

Job 20:12 nkjv

"Though evil is sweet in his mouth, And he hides it under his tongue,

Job 20:12 niv

"Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue,

Job 20:12 esv

"Though evil is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue,

Job 20:12 nlt

"They enjoyed the sweet taste of wickedness,
letting it melt under their tongue.

Job 20 verses

Job 20 12 Meaning

Job 20:12 describes the nature of the wicked person from Zophar's perspective. It asserts that the wicked find genuine pleasure in wrongdoing, savoring it like a sweet taste in their mouth. Furthermore, they cherish and conceal this delight in sin, holding onto it intimately and secretly, as if hiding a prized candy under their tongue to prolong its flavor and prevent discovery. The verse emphasizes an internal disposition where sin is not merely committed but inwardly relished and intentionally kept close.

Job 20 12 Context

Job 20:12 is part of Zophar's second discourse (Job 20:1-29), a direct response to Job's earlier lamentations and assertions of innocence. Zophar, like Eliphaz and Bildad, vehemently upholds the traditional wisdom that prosperity rewards righteousness and suffering punishes wickedness. He argues that Job's profound suffering must be due to some secret sin, despite Job's protests. This specific verse, therefore, serves to describe the kind of wicked person who, according to Zophar, will inevitably face ruin. Zophar paints a picture of such a person as one who inwardly delights in transgression and deliberately conceals this sin. He attributes to Job, implicitly, the characteristic of cherishing hidden wickedness, thereby attempting to justify Job's predicament as a divine consequence.

Job 20 12 Word analysis

• Though wickedness (רָשָׁע - rasha'): The Hebrew term rasha' denotes unrighteousness, guilt, or a state of being wicked. It often refers to one who is hostile to God, living contrary to divine standards. Here, it is presented not as a single act, but as an object of internal pleasure.
• is sweet (מָתֹוק - mathoq): A sensory word, conveying a taste that is pleasant, delightful, and enjoyable. Its use here indicates that sin, for this person, is genuinely appealing and a source of gratification, not merely a reluctant act. This highlights a perverse appetite.
• in his mouth (בְּפִיו - b'fiyw): Refers to the physical mouth, the primary organ of taste and consumption. Metaphorically, it implies internalizing and savoring something. The wickedness is taken in, contemplated, and enjoyed as if it were a delicious morsel.
• though he hides it (יַכְחִידֶנּוּ - yakhchidennu, from כָּחַד - kachad): This verb means to hide, conceal, or cause to disappear. The reflexive form used suggests an active, deliberate effort by the individual to keep the wickedness hidden, as if preserving a valuable possession or preventing its loss or exposure.
• under his tongue (תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנוֹ - tachat leshono): A vivid idiom. Similar to a lozenge or piece of candy kept under the tongue to prolong the flavor, this imagery conveys cherishing, prolonging enjoyment, and holding something intimately close. It implies a desire to dwell on the sin, savoring it without immediately swallowing or expelling it. It also suggests concealment from public view, a private indulgence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth": This phrase describes the inherent attractiveness of sin to the wicked person. It indicates an internal perversion where wrong is perceived as delightful. The wicked person does not merely stumble into sin but finds it profoundly satisfying, consuming it with relish.
• "though he hides it under his tongue": This expands on the internal delight, emphasizing its private and sustained nature. The imagery portrays a desire to prolong the pleasure and keep the sin closely guarded, almost as a secret treasure. It suggests deep-seated attachment to the transgression, perhaps also an unwillingness to confess or relinquish it, as well as an attempt to avoid discovery by others.

Job 20 12 Bonus section

While spoken by Zophar, one of Job's misguided friends, this verse contains a theological truth about the human heart's capacity to find pleasure in sin, irrespective of its immediate context within the Job narrative. It foreshadows biblical insights found in both the Old and New Testaments regarding the deceptive and seductive nature of evil. The verse's imagery serves as a powerful illustration that sin is not always overtly rebellious; it often begins with a quiet, inward indulgence—a private savoring that becomes deeply entrenched before it ever manifests in observable actions. This also stands in stark contrast to the experience of the righteous, for whom God's Law and His goodness are sweet (Ps 19:10; Ps 119:103).

Job 20 12 Commentary

Job 20:12, as articulated by Zophar, offers a profound insight into the seductive nature of sin for those who embrace it. The immediate, personal gratification that sin offers can be immensely alluring, likened to the pleasing taste of a sweet morsel. This isn't merely a fleeting temptation, but an experience that the individual actively desires to prolong and protect from disclosure, symbolizing a deep-seated love for transgression. The "hiding" suggests not only secrecy from others but also a deliberate cherishing and refusal to let go of the perceived delights of wickedness, allowing it to subtly influence their inner being. While Zophar applies this concept to falsely accuse Job, the verse powerfully captures the insidious human tendency to embrace sin, savor its temporary pleasures, and suppress any urge towards confession or repentance. It highlights how the internal cultivation of evil thoughts and desires can precede and underpin outward acts of transgression. This intimate portrayal of sin's hold serves as a sober warning that the initial "sweetness" ultimately leads to Zophar's predicted bitter consequences.For instance, a person might covertly entertain envious thoughts about a neighbor's prosperity, replaying them in their mind rather than seeking contentment (cf. Jas 4:2); or an individual might nurse a grudge, finding a perverse satisfaction in rehearsing another's offense instead of forgiving (cf. Matt 6:15).