Job 7:15

15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than [these] my bones.

Job 7:15 Meaning and Commentary

Job 7:15

So that my soul chooseth strangling
Not to strangle himself, as Ahithophel did, or to be strangled by others, this being a kind of death inflicted on capital offenders; but rather, as Mr. Broughton renders it, "to be choked to death" by any distemper and disease, as some are of a suffocating nature, as a catarrh, quinsy and kill in that way; and indeed death in whatsoever way is the stopping of a man's breath; and it was death that Job chose, let it be in what way it would, whether natural or violent; so weary was he of life through his sore and heavy afflictions:

[and] death rather than my life;
or, "than my bones" F9; which are the more solid parts of the body, and the support of it, and are put for the whole and the life thereof; or than these bones of his, which were full of strong pain, and which had nothing but skin upon them, and that was broken and covered with worms, rottenness, and dust; the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "and my bones death"; that is, desired and chose death, being so full of pain, see ( Psalms 35:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F9 (ytwmuem) "prae ossibus meis", Montanus, Tigurine version, Bolducius, Cocceius, Schmidt, Schultens; so Mercerus, Piscator, Michaelis.

Job 7:15 In-Context

13 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;
14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, And terrifiest me through visions:
15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than [these] my bones.
16 I loathe [my life]; I would not live alway: Let me alone; for my days are vanity.
17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, And that thou shouldest set thy mind upon him,
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.