Job 16:8

"But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate."

Key Reflection

In Job 16:8, Job laments that God has utterly exhausted his strength and left him alone, as evidenced by the desolation of his family and support network. This statement would have resonated deeply with the original audience, who understood that in first-century Jewish culture, one's social status and well-being were closely tied to their family and community. The complete collapse of Job’s household would have been seen as a dire sign of divine judgment or personal suffering, underscoring his profound anguish and helplessness before God.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

And thou hast filled me with wrinkles -Noyes renders this, “and thou hast seized hold of me, which is a witness against me.” Wemyss, “since thou hast bound me with chains, witnesses come forward.” Good, “and hast cut off myself from becoming a witness.” Luther, “he has made me “kuntzlich” (skillfully, artificially, cunningly,) and bears witness against me.” Jerome, “my wrinkles bear witness against me.” Septuagint, “my lie has become a witness, and is risen up against me.” From this variety of explanations, it will be seen that this passage is not of easy and obvious construction.

Related Verses

More from Job 16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion