This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
Read it in contextJob's Final Discourse
Start reading at Job 27:1 (Job 27:1 to Job 27:23).
This discourse begins at the start of the chapter and continues through the end of the chapter.
27:1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
27:2As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;
27:3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
27:4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
27:5God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
27:6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
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 main event or theme? The main theme is Job's discourse on the certain portion and heritage of the wicked and oppressors, which they shall receive from God and the Almighty.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His righteous judgment upon the wicked and oppressors, demonstrating that their temporary gains will ultimately lead to destruction and a desolate heritage.
What is the literary style? The passage is written in Hebrew poetry, characteristic of wisdom literature.
When
When was it written? The time when the book of Job was written is uncertain.
When does the event take place? The events described in the book of Job occur during the patriarchal period.
Where
Where did it happen? The specific location where Job delivered this discourse is not stated in the passage.
Where was the author located? The location where the author of Job was located is uncertain.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Job's Final Discourse (Job 27:1 to Job 27:23).
Start reading at Job 27:1. This discourse begins at the start of the chapter and continues through the end of the chapter.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage is part of Job's final discourse where he asserts his integrity and refutes the arguments of his friends by describing the inevitable judgment and destruction that awaits the wicked, contrasting it with his own steadfastness in God. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The passage reveals God's righteous judgment against wickedness and oppression, demonstrating that God will hold all accountable. This points to the ultimate justice of God, which is fully realized in the person of Christ, who is appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage encourages believers to live righteously and not envy the temporary prosperity of the wicked, knowing that God's justice will ultimately prevail and their portion will be destruction. It serves as a warning against oppression and wickedness, urging trust in God's unfailing judgment. 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.