איוב, פרק כ׳, פסוק כ׳

The life of a wicked individual is defined by a profound and inescapable restlessness, both inside and out. Ultimately, this turmoil strips away everything he has ever loved or gathered. The primary approach among commentators views this restless existence as a metaphor for insatiable greed and materialism. Such a person never experiences inner peace [מלבי״ם]. Instead, his appetite is constantly churning and empty, driving him to rob and oppress others just to satisfy his cravings [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Driven by this intense gluttony, he can never find quiet, nor can he truly enjoy what he consumes [מלבי״ם].

This endless desire extends to his physical treasures. He surrounds himself with wealth, charming objects, and everything he covets. Yet, despite his vast riches, he will not be able to save himself or protect his property; ultimately, everything will be lost [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רמב״ן]. Looking at this from a slightly different angle, the object of his desire might actually be his own beautiful physical body. However, even this will not be spared, as it is destined to rot and perish completely [רש״י]. Another unique perspective suggests that his gluttony is so extreme that he wishes his food would remain inside him forever, refusing to ever let it pass from his body [מלבי״ם].

In contrast to the focus on material greed, another line of thought interprets this lack of peace as a tragic family fate, focusing on offspring and continuity. In this view, the internal emptiness does not refer to physical appetite, but rather to his descendants. The wicked person will never have the privilege of seeing a calm or peaceful individual among his children [רמב״ן, תקות אנוש]. His most cherished desire is his beloved only son, yet even this child will not be spared from the disasters that fall upon the father [תקות אנוש]. Furthermore, his attempts to build a legacy will fail completely; he will be unable to bring forth life or leave behind any survivors as he had hoped [רמב״ן].

This perspective also carries a sharp moral lesson. A person might endure deep sorrow and constant worry over a sick, beloved child, suffering so much that he never eats a peaceful meal. However, this intense personal pain will not save his soul if he turns a blind eye to the poor and refuses to give charity [אלשיך].