Translations
Modern
I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.
Traditional
I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
Literal
I loathe—I would not live forever! Cease from me, for my days are vapor.
Latin
Desperavi: nequaquam ultra jam vivam: parce mihi, nihil enim sunt dies mei.
Original
Hebrew
English
I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.
Notes
for my days are but a breath: Literally for my days are a vapor (Hebrew hebel); see the Theme Note titled “All Is ‘Vapor’.”
Job responds by criticizing his counselors and questioning God (chapters 6 and 7). He explains his intense words by indicating his deep "grief" or "anguish" (6:2–3; 7:11). Job states that Eliphaz has not provided comfort or sympathy as a friend. Instead, Eliphaz chose to argue about out of date religious or theological ideas.
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Job's Trialc. 1650 BC