Translations
Modern
What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,
Traditional
What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
Literal
What is man that You should magnify him, and that You would set Your heart toward him,
Latin
Quid est homo, quia magnificas eum? aut quid apponis erga eum cor tuum?
Original
Hebrew
English
What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,
Notes
that You should exalt him: Compare with Psalm 8:4–5, which expresses similar thoughts in a positive way.
attend (Hebrew paqad): In Psalm 8:4, this term means "to honor or care for." Job used it ironically to mean "You bother yourself" (compare with "punished," Isaiah 26:14).
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 Instead, Eliphaz chose to argue about out of date religious or theological ideas.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
Glossary
Topics
God: Love of Humility: Exemplified Life: Brevity and Uncertainty of Man: Unworthy of God's Favour The Love of God: Irrespective of Merit