Job 7:20 | DiscipleDeck

Bible Commentary

Job 7:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

I have sinned. This is not so much a confession as a concession, equivalent to "Granting that I have sinned," or, "Suppose that I have sinned." In that case, What shall I do unto thee? or, What can I do for thee?

How is it in my power to do anything? Can I undo the past? Or can I make compensation in the future? Neither seems to Job to be possible. O thou Preserver of men; rather, thou Observer of men. A continuation of the complaint that God's eye is always upon him.

Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee? "A mark" ( מפגע) is either "a butt," "a target for arrows," or else "an obstacle," "a stumbling-block," which God, by repeated blows, is removing out of his way.

The latter meaning is preferred by Schultens and Professor Lee; the former by Rosenmuller and our Revisers. So that I am a burden to myself (comp. Psalms 38:4).

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Read today's devotional Save my progress

More for Job 7:20

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Job 7 — OverviewJob 7 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleJob, in this chapter, goes on to express the bitter sense he had of his calamities and to justify himself in his desire of death. I. He complains to himself and his friends of his troubles, and the constant…Job 7 — OverviewJob 7 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeJob 7:1, Job excuses his desire of death; Job 7:12, He complains of his own restlessness, and expostulates with God.Job 7 — OverviewJob 7 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter Job goes on to defend himself in an address to God; as that he had reason to complain of his extraordinary afflictions, and wish for death; by observing the common case of mankind, which he illustrates…Job 7:1-21Job 7:1-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION Job 7:1-21Job 7:1-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryIn this chapter Job first bewails his miserable fate, of which he expects no alleviation (verses 1-10); then claims an unlimited right of complaint (verse 11); and finally enters into direct expostulation with God—an…Job 7:17-21Job 7:17-21 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleJob here reasons with God, I. Concerning his dealings with man in general (v. 17, 18): What is man, that thou shouldst magnify him? This may be looked upon either, 1. As a passionate reflection upon the…