Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
Read it in contextThe Wicked Man’s Portion
Start reading at Job 27:7 (Job 27:7 to Job 27:23).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The later speeches, poem on wisdom, and Job's final defense bring the dispute to the point of his appeal for an answer.
27:7Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
27:8For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
27:9Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
27:10Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
27:11I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
27:12Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?
27:13This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
27:14If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.
27:15Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.
27:16Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
27:17He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
27:18He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.
27:19The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.
27:20Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
27:21The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.
27:22For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
27:23Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
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Who
Who wrote the book? The author is unknown. Moses is one ancient traditional proposal, but neither that proposal nor another named author can be established with confidence. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Job 26:1–31:40): Job continues his reply, reflection, and final defense before the hearers of the dispute. The wisdom poem and remembered events are not separate gatherings of every person they mention. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Readers within Israel's wisdom tradition, wrestling with innocent suffering, justice, and the limits of human judgment. No named individual or first community is identified. Biblical references: Job 28:28; Job 42:7. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The Wicked Man’s Portion. Read Job 27:7 through Job 27:23 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The later speeches, poem on wisdom, and Job's final defense bring the dispute to the point of his appeal for an answer. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book supplies no royal date or exact historical year for Job's experiences. Proposed patriarchal-era settings are historical inferences, not a date explicitly stated by the narrative. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Job is introduced as a man in the land of Uz. The poetic speeches range through imagined and remembered scenes that should not all be treated as the speakers' physical locations. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Wicked Man’s Portion (Job 27:7 to Job 27:23).
Start reading at Job 27:7. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? James refers to Job's endurance and the Lord's compassion. Connections between Job's suffering and Christ may be considered as comparisons; Job's speeches should not all be treated as direct predictions of Jesus. See Job 1:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 4:15. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Do not assume that a sufferer's losses prove a hidden sin. Listen carefully, distinguish the speakers, and read their claims alongside the LORD's concluding rebuke of the friends. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Job 27
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The later speeches, poem on wisdom, and Job's final defense bring the dispute to the point of his appeal for an answer.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The later speeches, poem on wisdom, and Job's final defense bring the dispute to the point of his appeal for an answer.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Job
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Job contains narrative, lament, and extended disputation. The speakers must be identified before treating an assertion as the book's teaching: the LORD explicitly rebukes Job's friends near the end. Neither the author nor an exact historical date is stated.
Connection to the wholeThe narrative establishes Job's losses and integrity before the speeches begin, giving readers information the disputing friends do not possess.
Connection to the wholeThe argument sharpens as the friends connect suffering with wickedness and Job challenges their account of the wicked's fortunes.
Connection to the wholeA new speaker responds to Job and the friends before the LORD's speeches begin; his speech must be distinguished from the divine answer.
Connection to the wholeThe LORD questions Job concerning the created order, confronting the limits of his knowledge and his attempt to contend with God.
Connection to the wholeJob responds, the friends are rebuked, and the narrative closes with intercession and restoration without turning every speech into endorsed doctrine.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.