The venom of serpents (20:14). In verse 16 it is serpent’s poison, the fangs of an adder that will kill him. The serpent (Heb. peten) in verses 14 and 16 is a large snake and the “adder” in verse 16 the carpet viper.207 In ancient texts “gall” was understood not only as tasting bitter, but also as a poisonous and deadly venomous substance.208
Spit out the riches … his stomach vomit them up (20:15). This idea is comparable to the Egyptian Wisdom of Amenemope, where goods taken from the poor are “a block in the throat, it makes the gullet vomit.”209
An iron weapon (20:24). The iron weapon may be a sword, a weapon used in close combat. If Job is able to flee from this, the long-range “arrow” (NIV; Heb. is lit. “bow”) will get him. Bows of metal or with metal covering were not used; arrows were made of wood or reeds with metal tips or points.210
Fire … will consume him (20:26). On divine fire that “eats,” see 1:16.
The heavens … the earth (20:27). In ancient Near Eastern treaties,211 heaven and earth (in addition to deities) are called as witness (cf. Deut. 32:1; Isa. 1:2).