Job 7:16

Job Continues: Life Seems Futile · Job 7:1–21
Read Job 7

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 cried out to God, saying life was too short (7:6–10). This complaint contrasts with his earlier wish for God to end his life (6:9).

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 Instead, Eliphaz chose to argue about out of date religious or theological ideas.

Events

Glossary

Book of Job

Topics

Death: Desired: Job Vanity: The Days of Man Are