Job 7:20

Translations

Modern

If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?

Traditional

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

Literal

If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You set me to be a target for You and why should I be a burden to You?

Latin

Peccavi; quid faciam tibi, o custos hominum? quare posuisti me contrarium tibi, et factus sum mihimetipsi gravis?

Original

Hebrew

English

If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?

Notes

Job 7:20

Watcher of mankind: Instead of praising God for his goodness shown in careful attention, Job accused God of hostile surveillance. This actually describes Satan's actions (Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 25:21; Proverbs 24:12; Job 1:7).
Why comes from the language of grief (see study note on 3:11–24).
Your target: See 6:4; Lamentations 3:12.

Job 7:6–21

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 6:1–7:21

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 Instead, Eliphaz chose to argue about out of date religious or theological ideas.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

Complaints Resurrection in the Old Testament

Events

Job's Trial

Related verses

Lamentations 3:12
He bent His bow and set me as the target for His arrow.
Psalm 36:6
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
Job 7:11–12
Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Job 3:24
I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water.
Psalm 80:4
O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people?
Job 13:26
For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
Job 6:4
For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.
Job 31:33
…if I have covered my transgressions like Adam by hiding my guilt in my heart,
Job 14:16
For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin.
Job 33:9
‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.
Psalm 21:12
For You will put them to flight when Your bow is trained upon them.

Glossary

Adam (Person) Book of Job

Topics

Confession of Sin: Job Man: God: Preserves Prayer: Confession In Repentance: Exemplified Sin: Confession of

Job 7:20

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics