Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,
Job 20:4 falls within the extended debate between Job and his three friends concerning his afflictions. It is spoken by Zophar in his second speech, which declares the portion of the wicked. Those who held otherwise identified it as part of Eliphaz's speech.
The verse introduces the friends' appeal to what they regard as an ancient, universally known truth. Their own wisdom and observation had led them to assume that a good person would not suffer so greatly. That general claim was misapplied to Job, whose affliction did not mean that God was displeased with him. The friends' statements about Job and God cannot be treated as reliable unless they are supported by inspired Scripture.
Job 20:4 falls within the extended debate between Job and his three friends concerning his afflictions. It is spoken by Zophar in his second speech, which declares the portion of the wicked. Those who held otherwise identified it as part of Eliphaz's speech.
The verse introduces the friends' appeal to what they regard as an ancient, universally known truth. Their own wisdom and observation had led them to assume that a good person would not suffer so greatly. That general claim was misapplied to Job, whose affliction did not mean that God was displeased with him. The friends' statements about Job and God cannot be treated as reliable unless they are supported by inspired Scripture.