Job 27 13

Job 27:13 kjv

This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

Job 27:13 nkjv

"This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, received from the Almighty:

Job 27:13 niv

"Here is the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty:

Job 27:13 esv

"This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty:

Job 27:13 nlt

"This is what the wicked will receive from God;
this is their inheritance from the Almighty.

Job 27 verses

Job 27 13 Meaning

Job 27:13 is a powerful declaration by Job, affirming his steadfast belief that there is a definite, divinely ordained fate for the wicked and oppressors. He asserts that their ultimate "portion" and "heritage" — their inevitable destiny and recompense — are directly determined and delivered by God Almighty. This statement underlines Job’s conviction in God’s ultimate justice, signaling that despite any apparent prosperity they might experience in this life, evil-doers are destined for divine judgment.

Job 27 13 Context

Job 27 is part of Job's extended discourse (Chapters 27-31), where he presents his final defense and affirmations, particularly concerning his own integrity and God’s justice. In this specific chapter, Job clarifies his theological position. After persistent accusations from his friends, who rigidly argued that Job’s suffering must be due to his sin, Job here asserts a fundamental truth about divine retribution against the wicked. Unlike his friends, who applied a simplistic, direct cause-and-effect relationship between sin and immediate suffering to Job’s specific case, Job separates the general truth of God's judgment against the wicked from his own unjustifiable suffering. He concedes that the wicked will ultimately receive their "portion" from God, affirming that God does indeed punish evil. This highlights Job’s unwavering belief in God’s righteousness and justice, even as he grapples with the inscrutability of his personal ordeal. The historical-cultural context for this dialogue is ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, where the prosperity of the righteous and suffering of the wicked were common themes, yet often without adequate explanation for deviations from this norm. Job's statements push against a purely deterministic theology, maintaining that divine justice is real and sure, even if not always immediately visible on human timelines.

Job 27 13 Word analysis

• This (זֶה - zeh): A demonstrative pronoun, highlighting the certainty and unalterable nature of the coming revelation. It points to the specific destiny of the wicked as a definite, established fact, leaving no room for doubt.
• portion (חֵלֶק - cheleq): Refers to a "share," "allotment," or "inheritance." In this context, it signifies the divinely assigned outcome or recompense. While cheleq can denote a positive share (e.g., of land or blessing), here it emphatically points to a negative, deserved consequence from God for the wicked.
• of a wicked man (רָשָׁע - rasha'): Denotes someone who is morally corrupt, unrighteous, or guilty. This term signifies active defiance against God’s standards or open wrongdoing against humanity. It's not about human imperfection but deliberate evil.
• with God (מֵאֵל - me'El): Literally "from God" or "by God." This crucial phrase emphasizes the divine origin of this portion. It is not an arbitrary misfortune or a result of human revenge but a direct consequence ordained and administered by the sovereign God (אֵל - El), the supreme deity.
• and the heritage (וְנַחֲלַת - v'nachalat): This term reinforces and expands on "portion," signifying an inheritance or permanent possession. While "portion" can be immediate, "heritage" suggests a long-term, perhaps eternal, and definite destiny. It implies something irrevocably belonging to the wicked.
• of oppressors (עָרִיץ - aritz): Singular here, often translated as "tyrant" or "ruthless one." This specifically points to a type of wicked person who acts violently, harshly, or unjustly, intimidating or exploiting others. It underscores the social impact of their evil.
• which they receive (יִקָּחוּן - yiqachun): This verbal form indicates a future action with certainty – "they will take" or "they will receive." It removes any doubt about the eventual fulfillment of this divine decree. The consequences are assured.
• from the Almighty (מִשַּׁדַּי - miShaddai): "From Shaddai," one of God’s most ancient and powerful names, highlighting His omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and His ability to execute His judgments without fail. The combined use of El and Shaddai stresses God’s complete authority and capacity to enforce His righteous will over all.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage... from the Almighty": The repetition and slight variation of "portion...with God" and "heritage...from the Almighty" serves to amplify the certainty and comprehensive nature of divine retribution. It ensures that both their temporary lot and their eternal destination are utterly subject to God’s judicial oversight. The use of two different divine names (El and Shaddai) underscores the absolute power, authority, and unwavering determination of God to execute justice.
• "wicked man" and "oppressors": These two terms describe different facets of those who defy God. "Wicked man" (rasha') is a broad category for anyone unrighteous, while "oppressors" (aritz) points specifically to those whose wickedness manifests in active harm, tyranny, and exploitation of others. Job, therefore, identifies not just internal depravity but also its harmful external manifestation as deserving of divine judgment.

Job 27 13 Bonus section

This verse is critical for understanding Job's true theological position. While he vehemently argues his innocence and laments his suffering, he never rejects the foundational biblical principle of divine justice. Rather, he distinguishes between how and when justice is dispensed and the certainty of its ultimate application. This indicates Job possessed a sophisticated theology, understanding that the problem of evil and suffering is complex, not reducible to simple cause-and-effect seen in the short term. The emphasis on "with God" and "from the Almighty" further highlights that this retribution is not merely societal consequences but a direct divine act, underscoring God's active involvement in the world's moral order. The inclusion of "oppressors" shows Job's concern for the suffering of others and affirms God's commitment to righting societal wrongs caused by tyranny.

Job 27 13 Commentary

Job 27:13 reveals Job’s profound conviction in the ultimate, unwavering justice of God, a belief he never truly abandons despite his intense personal suffering and questioning. It serves as a refutation of his friends’ narrow, retributive theology while simultaneously affirming a broader, more mature understanding of divine justice. Job asserts that regardless of temporal appearances where the wicked may seemingly prosper, their actual and lasting "portion" or "heritage" is determined by God. This "portion" is not random but a precise consequence of their actions, delivered by an omnipotent God. Thus, the verse provides comfort that evil will not prevail eternally and acts as a sober warning that unrighteous gain is always fleeting. It also helps interpret suffering: not every instance of hardship implies personal wickedness, but divine judgment on actual wickedness is an assured reality.