Job 20:10

His children shall seeke to please the poore, and his hands shall restore their goods. Job 20:10 (KJV)

“His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.” This verse is spoken by Zophar, one of Job’s friends, as he attempts to explain the cause of Job’s suffering. Zophar argues that the wicked will ultimately face divine consequences, including the loss of wealth and possessions.

Key points to consider include responsibility toward the poor. Zophar asserts that the children of the wicked will “come to the poor,” indicating that those accustomed to privilege will experience a reversal of fortune and be forced to rely on the benevolence of the needy. This underscores the principle that those who disregard the needs of the less fortunate may eventually find themselves dependent on them.

Another point is the restoration of goods. Zophar says that the ill‑gotten gains of the wicked will be stripped away and that the goods they wrongfully obtained will be restored to their rightful owners. This reflects the belief that God’s justice will prevail and that the oppressed will receive restitution.

It is important to note that Zophar’s speech, like the speeches of Job’s other friends, contains generalizations and assumptions about Job’s situation. The friends mistakenly assume that Job’s suffering is a direct result of personal sin, failing to grasp the larger context of his trials. While these speeches provide insight into the theological perspectives of the time, the broader narrative of the Book of Job moves beyond such simplistic cause‑and‑effect reasoning toward a more complex resolution.

For a fruitful Bible study, readers are encouraged to compare translations, cross‑reference related passages, and consult reliable commentaries. Such careful study helps uncover the deeper themes of divine justice, the reversal of fortunes, and the proper attitude toward the poor that are woven throughout this passage.