Job 10:8-18

8 “‘You formed me with your hands; you made me, yet now you completely destroy me.
9 Remember that you made me from dust— will you turn me back to dust so soon?
10 You guided my conception and formed me in the womb.
11 You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together.
12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care.
13 “‘Yet your real motive— your true intent—
14 was to watch me, and if I sinned, you would not forgive my guilt.
15 If I am guilty, too bad for me; and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high, because I am filled with shame and misery.
16 And if I hold my head high, you hunt me like a lion and display your awesome power against me.
17 Again and again you witness against me. You pour out your growing anger on me and bring fresh armies against me.
18 “‘Why, then, did you deliver me from my mother’s womb? Why didn’t you let me die at birth?

Job 10:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 10

Job here declares the greatness of his afflictions, which made him weary of his life, and could not help complaining; entreats the Lord not to condemn him but show him the reason of his thus dealing with him, Job 10:1,2; and expostulates with him about it, and suggests as if it was severe, and not easily reconciled to his perfections, when he knew he was not a wicked man, Job 10:3-7; he puts him in mind of his formation and preservation of him, and after all destroyed him, Job 10:8-12; and represents his case as very distressed; whether he was wicked or righteous it mattered not, his afflictions were increasing upon him, Job 10:13-17; and all this he observes, in order to justify his eager desire after death, which he renews, Job 10:18,19; and entreats, since his days he had to live were but few, that God would give him some respite before he went into another state, which he describes, Job 10:20-22.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew You poured me out like milk / and curdled me like cheese.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.