Job 17
Job 17 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Job 17 continues the story of Job, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Authorship uncertain (perhaps Moses, 15th century BC). Sets in patriarchal era, exploring suffering and faith.
Job 17: KJV Commentary and Summary
1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me.
2 [Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who [is] he [that] will strike hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].
5 He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow.
8 Upright [men] shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, [even] the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave [is] mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have said to corruption, Thou [art] my father: to the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.
15 And where [is] now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when [our] rest together [is] in the dust.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Job 17:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Job 17:9 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Job 17:16 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.