Job 27:23
It claps its hands at him and hisses him out of his place.
It claps its hands at him
The phrase "it claps its hands at him" is a vivid expression of derision and scorn. In the Hebrew context, clapping hands was often a gesture of mockery or triumph over someone else's downfall. The Hebrew word for "claps" is "תִּכְפֹּ֣ץ" (tikpotz), which conveys a sense of suddenness and intensity. This imagery suggests that the forces of nature or society are rejoicing over the calamity that has befallen the wicked. In the broader scriptural context, this reflects the theme of divine justice, where the wicked ultimately face the consequences of their actions, and even creation itself seems to respond to God's righteous judgment.

and hisses him out of his place
The phrase "and hisses him out of his place" further emphasizes the scorn and rejection faced by the wicked. The Hebrew word for "hisses" is "יִשְׁרֹֽק" (yishroq), which can also mean to whistle or to express disdain. This action signifies a public display of contempt, as if the community or the natural order itself is expelling the wicked from their position. Historically, hissing was a common way to show disapproval or to drive someone away, akin to booing in modern times. In the scriptural narrative, this expulsion from one's place is symbolic of the loss of status, security, and identity that comes with divine retribution. It serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God in administering justice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering.

2. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel but often misinterpret his suffering as a result of sin.

3. God
The ultimate authority and sovereign being who allows Job's trials to test his faith.

4. The Wicked
In this context, Job is speaking about the fate of the wicked, contrasting their temporary success with their ultimate downfall.

5. The Place of the Wicked
Symbolic of the temporary and unstable position that the wicked hold, which will eventually be lost.
Teaching Points
The Temporary Triumph of the Wicked
The wicked may experience temporary success, but it is fleeting and ultimately leads to downfall.

The Sovereignty of God
God is in control, and His justice will prevail. The wicked will not escape His judgment.

The Importance of Righteous Living
Believers are called to live righteously, trusting in God's justice and timing, rather than envying the temporary success of the wicked.

Endurance in Trials
Like Job, believers should remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God sees their trials and will ultimately vindicate them.

The Power of Community
Job's friends misunderstood his situation, reminding us of the importance of offering true, compassionate support to those in suffering.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job 27:23 illustrate the ultimate fate of the wicked, and what does this teach us about God's justice?

2. In what ways can we apply the lesson of the temporary triumph of the wicked to our own lives when we face injustice or see evil prosper?

3. How does the account of Job encourage us to maintain our faith during times of personal trial and suffering?

4. What can we learn from Job's friends about the importance of offering wise and compassionate counsel to those who are suffering?

5. How do the teachings in Job 27:23 connect with Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:26-27, and what practical steps can we take to build our lives on a firm foundation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 1
This Psalm contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked, similar to Job's discourse on the fate of the wicked.

Proverbs 11:21
This verse speaks to the certainty of the wicked not going unpunished, aligning with Job's assertion of the ultimate downfall of the wicked.

Matthew 7:26-27
Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders highlights the instability of a life not founded on righteousness, akin to the fate of the wicked described by Job.

James 5:11
James references Job as an example of perseverance, emphasizing the eventual blessing and justice of God.
Hissed Off the StageJob 27:23
Job a Victor in the ControversyE. Johnson Job 27:1-23
God's Treatment of Wicked MenHomilistJob 27:11-23
Zophar's Missing SpeechAlbert Barnes.Job 27:11-23
The Portion of a Wicked ManW.F. Adeney Job 27:13-23
The Reward of IniquityR. Green Job 27:13-23
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Clap, Clappeth, Claps, Derision, Driving, Hands, Hiss, Hisses, Hisseth, Hissing, Joy, Signs, Sounds
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 27:23

     5156   hand

Job 27:21-23

     5142   clapping

Library
The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
Who, then, is this "wicked man," thus portrayed before us? And what are the first symptoms of his depravity? We ask not the question idly, but in order that we take heed against the uprise of such an evil in ourselves. "Beneath the saintly veil the votary of sin May lurk unseen; and to that eye alone Which penetrates the heart, may stand revealed." The hypocrite is very often an exceedingly neat imitation of the Christian. To the common observer he is so good a counterfeit that he entirely escapes
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Whether Hypocrisy is Contrary to the virtue of Truth?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is not contrary to the virtue of truth. For in dissimulation or hypocrisy there is a sign and a thing signified. Now with regard to neither of these does it seem to be opposed to any special virtue: for a hypocrite simulates any virtue, and by means of any virtuous deeds, such as fasting, prayer and alms deeds, as stated in Mat. 6:1-18. Therefore hypocrisy is not specially opposed to the virtue of truth. Objection 2: Further, all dissimulation seems to proceed
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

On the Interior Man
The interior man is the rational soul; in the apostle: have in your hearts, in the interior man, Christ through faith. [Eph. 3:16] His head is Christ; in the apostle: the head of the man is Christ. [I Cor. 11:3] The crown of the head is the height of righteousness; in Solomon: for the crown of your head has received the crown of grace. The same in a bad part: the crown of hairs having walked about in their own delights, that is, in the height of iniquity. [Prov. 4:9; Ps. 67(68):22(21)] The hair is
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Wesley in St. Albans Abbey
Monday, July 30.--l preached at Bingham, ten miles from Nottingham. I really admired the exquisite stupidity of the people. They gaped and stared while I was speaking of death and judgment, as if they had never heard of such things before. And they were not helped by two surly, ill-mannered clergymen, who seemed to be just as wise as themselves. The congregation at Houghton in the evening was more noble, behaving with the utmost decency. Tuesday, 31.--At nine I preached in the market place at Loughborough,
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished;
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
1. Conviction of guilt necessary.--2. A charge of rebellion against God advanced.--3. Where it is shown--that all men are born under God's law.--4. That no man hath perfectly kept it.--5. An appeal to the reader's conscience on this head, that he hath not.--6. That to have broken it, is an evil inexpressibly great.--7. Illustrated by a more particular view of the aggravations of this guilt, arising--from knowledge.--8. From divine favors received.--9. From convictions of conscience overborne.--10.
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

God's Sovereignty and Prayer
"If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14). Throughout this book it has been our chief aim to exalt the Creator and abase the creature. The well-nigh universal tendency now, is to magnify man and dishonour and degrade God. On every hand it will be found that, when spiritual things are under discussion, the human side and element is pressed and stressed, and the Divine side, if not altogether ignored, is relegated to the background. This holds true of very much of the
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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