Job 20:21

Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The verse concludes a descriptive passage about the fate of a wicked person, positioned between verses 20 and 22 of a single discourse. It follows directly from the statement that the person cannot escape with his treasure.

The words — `שָׂרִיד` (sa.Rid) translates literally as “survivor” or “remnant,” while `יָחִיל` (ya.Chil) means “it will endure.” Together they frame the verse’s claim that no portion of the man’s wealth remains to sustain him.

The thread — The theme of fleeting prosperity appears in Job 15:29, which notes his wealth will not endure, and Job 18:19, which declares he will have no survivor where he once lived. Jeremiah 17:11 parallels this by comparing unjust wealth accumulation to a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay.

Why it lands — The text states that a man’s wealth leaves no remnant to consume, and therefore his prosperity will not endure. It asks the reader to recognize that material accumulation disconnected from lasting foundation inevitably collapses.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

אֵין־'ein-there not שָׂרִ֥ידsa.Rid[is] a survivor לְאָכְל֑וֹle./'a.khe.L/oto/ devour/ he עַל־'al-there-כֵּ֝֗ןKen-fore לֹא־lo'-not יָחִ֥ילya.Chilit will endure טוּבֽוֹ׃tu.V/oprosperity/ his

King James Version

There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.

Cross-references

Job 15:29 He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not overspread the land.
Job 18:19 He has no offspring or posterity among his people, no survivor where he once lived.
Jeremiah 17:11 Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”
Luke 16:24 So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’