Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryJob 17

Is corrupt. Literally, “is ruined,” “is broken.” The same form of the Hebrew verb occurs in Isa. 10:27, and is there translated “shall be destroyed.” Instead of “my breath” (Heb. ruchi) we may read “my spirit.” This chapter is a continuation of Job’s complaints, which began with ch. 16. Logically, this chapter division should either have been omitted or have been placed after ch. 16:21. Extinct. Job feels he is close to death. Graves. The LXX and the Vulgate render this word in the singular. The plural in the Hebrew may be explained by regarding it as referring to the niches commonly cut in a burial chamber to receive dead bodies.

Mockers. Job’s friends had insisted that his life might be spared if he would repent of his sins. They even held out before him the prospects of a bright future. To Job such an outlook was so remote that it appeared as sheer mockery. In their provocation. The word translated “provocation” comes from a root meaning, “to be rebellious.” The figure seems to mean that Job could obtain no relief from these mockeries.

Lay down now. Or, “give now a pledge.” The terms used in this verse are law terms. Job calls upon God to go into court with him. The “pledge” refers to the money that the court requires before it undertakes the investigation of the case. The whole passage would be clearer if we knew more about ancient legal practices. It seems that Job desired God to give bond that he would enter into litigation with Job on equal terms. Surety. Probably a further legal requirement, the nature of which is not disclosed. It may refer to a pledge to each other on the part of the litigants that they will abide by the decision of the judge. Strike hands. An expression signifying to ratify an agreement (see Prov. 6:1; 17:18).

Hid their heart. Job is referring to his friends. He is sure God will not permit them to triumph.

Speaketh flattery. This expression is thought by some to refer to those who betray their friends to the spoiler. If this is correct, Job compares his friends to people who announce the whereabouts of their neighbors to robbers, that the robbers may plunder them. Of his children. The children suffer in the calamity that strikes the parents.

A byword. Job did become a byword, but not in the sense he anticipated. He bore his affliction so well that he became a byword for patience and endurance (see James 5:11).

A tabret. Heb. topheth, an act of spitting. Job says literally, “a spitting of the face do I become.” The translation “tabret” comes from confusing topheth with toph, a “hand drum.”

Mine eye. See Ps. 6:7; 31:9. A shadow. Job is a mere skeleton, exhausted and emaciated.

Astonied. Upright men will marvel at how a man who is reputed to be faithful could be allowed to suffer so terribly. Stir up himself. These same upright men will oppose the godless. Job may be referring to his friends. The inference is not clear.

Hold on his way. Job seems to be referring to himself and declaring that he, a righteous man, one who had been so grievously wronged, would “hold on his way.” In spite of his temptations and misfortunes, Job had a conviction that he would be able to presevere. He had settled certain things in his heart. Calamity might shake him, but it could not destroy his integrity (see 2 Cor. 4:8, 9).

Return. Renew your attack. Take up your old arguments. Repeat your unfeeling criticisms. You will reveal anew your lack of wisdom.

My days are past. Job is asking in effect, “What does it matter what happens to me now?” He feels that all hope of recovery is past. His short phrases resemble the gasps of a dying man.

They. That is, Job’s friends. They had tried to convince Job that day would dawn for him if he would repent (chs. 5:18–26; 8:21, 22; 11:15–19). They declare in their way what is expressed in the thought, “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” Job had not found comfort in these assurances. They seemed to lack the ring of sincerity.

The grave. Heb. she’ol. Job looks forward with a degree of anticipation to the rest from suffering that the grave will bring.

Thou art my father. A highly figurative way of describing death. The gender changes from “father” to “mother” and “sister” to agree with “worm,” which is feminine.

My hope. The question is one of unsolved perplexity. His friends had held out hope. In view of the nearness of the grave, where is that hope?

Go down. There is a question as to what is the proper subject of the verb. Grammatically a feminine plural subject is demanded, but there is none present or conveniently to be supplied by the context. Some consider “bars,” a masculine noun, as the subject, and translate the clause thus: “Shall the bars of the grave go down?” Others go back to “hope,” a feminine singular (v. 15), and speak of the hope as descending to the bars of she’ol. Job’s speech ends on the note of complete despair. The grave seems to be his only hope.