1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me.
2 [Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who [is] he [that] will strike hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].
5 He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow.
8 Upright [men] shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, [even] the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave [is] mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have said to corruption, Thou [art] my father: to the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.
15 And where [is] now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when [our] rest together [is] in the dust.
Overview of Job Chapter 17
Job 17 is a poignant chapter in the Book of Job, where Job expresses his deep despair and sense of isolation amidst his suffering. This chapter serves as a reflection of Job’s internal struggle, highlighting themes of mortality, hope, and the quest for justice.
Key Themes
- Despair and Isolation:
Job articulates his feelings of hopelessness and the loneliness that accompanies his suffering. He feels abandoned by both God and man, which exacerbates his anguish.
- Mortality:
Job acknowledges the inevitability of death, expressing a sense of urgency in his plea for understanding and vindication before he dies.
- Justice and Integrity:
Despite his suffering, Job maintains his integrity and righteousness, asserting that he has not sinned to deserve his plight. He seeks a fair hearing and justice from God.
Verse-by-Verse Analysis
- Verse 1:
Job begins with a declaration of his deteriorating condition, stating that his spirit is broken and his days are fleeting. This sets the tone for the chapter, emphasizing his vulnerability.
- Verse 2:
He feels surrounded by mockers and false friends, highlighting his sense of betrayal and the lack of genuine support in his suffering.
- Verses 3-5:
Job calls upon God to serve as a guarantor for him, indicating his desire for divine justice. He feels that his friends have turned against him, and he wishes for a fair judgment regarding his innocence.
- Verses 6-9:
Job reflects on how he has become a proverb and a subject of derision. Despite this, he expresses a glimmer of hope that the righteous will hold fast to their integrity and ultimately prevail.
- Verses 10-12:
Job challenges his friends to provide a solid argument for his guilt, asserting that their accusations are unfounded. He feels that they are blind to the truth of his situation.
- Verses 13-16:
Job contemplates death and the grave, indicating that he sees it as his only refuge. He expresses a profound sense of despair, feeling that there is no hope beyond the grave.
Literary Devices
- Imagery:
Job uses vivid imagery to convey his suffering and the state of his soul, creating a powerful emotional impact.
- Metaphor:
He employs metaphors related to darkness and death to illustrate his feelings of hopelessness and despair.
- Rhetorical Questions:
Job poses questions to his friends and to God, emphasizing his confusion and the search for answers in the midst of his suffering.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 17 encapsulates the essence of Job’s struggle as he grapples with his suffering, the nature of justice, and the reality of mortality. His plea for understanding and vindication resonates throughout the chapter, making it a profound exploration of human anguish and the quest for meaning in suffering.
