Job 20:1-3

[1] Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, [2] Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste. [3] I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

What is the context of Job 20:1-3?

Zophar Speaks the Second Time (Job 20:1-3 true)
Zophar Speaks: The Wicked Will Suffer (Job 20:1-29 true)
Zophar’s Sermon on the Wicked Man (Job 20:1-29 true)
Zophar Says, “The Triumph of the Wicked Is Short” (Job 20:1-29 true)
Zophar’s Second Response to Job (Job 20:1-29 true)
Zophar’s Second Speech (Job 20:1-29 true)
Zophar (Job 20:1-29 true)
Zophar Speaks (Job 20:1-29 true)

What does Job 20:1-3 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"Therefore" ( Job 20:2) must refer to what Job had said. Job had previously asked why his friends answered him ( Job 16:3). Zophar replied that the spirit of his understanding made him answer ( Job 20:3 b).

"This phrase means both that Zophar"s spirit is compelling him to respond to Job (c. Job 32:18) and that his words come from reasoned insight (cf. Fohrer)." ^[1]

Again he seems to be claiming innate, instinctive knowledge (cf. ch11).