Job 7
Job hopes to die 1
He feels like his life will vanish 7
His bed is no release 13
What is man — nothing 17
He feels that he will die unforgiven 20

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Text
Explanation
 1 ¶ Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? 
.2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: 
 3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
  1 - Is there not ... time Should read, "Is there not war"? Compare Eliphaz' description jb0517-27. Compare jb1414, is4002.
  2 - Desireth the shadow Job compares himself to a worker who longs for the end of the day.
  3 - Possess Or "inherit."
.4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. 
 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.
 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
  4 - When shall I arise Compare de2867.
  6 - Days are swifter This seems strange when we see that his time in misery must have gone by slowly. Apparently the intended idea was that time was fast running out.
.7 ¶ O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. 
.8 The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. 
.9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
.10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
 11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
 12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?
  7 -It is felt that Job begins to speak to God at this verse although this may have been the case since verse 1.
  9 - Grave ... up no more Although he will not be able to come up, the Lord is able to resurrect him jb1925; 1th0416, jn1143.
.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 my life. 
 16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
  16 - Vanity Rather, "vapor."
.17 ¶ What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
 18 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
 19 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
  17 - What is man? We see the same question in ps00803-8 with a more optimistic viewpoint.
  19 - How long ... spittle Job seems to be annoyed .
.20 I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
.21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.
  20 - I have sinned But not a contrite confession.
  20 - Preserver Or "watcher." Compare da0413,23.
  20 - Mark From miphga' Something to strike against. Perhaps a target that God was shooting at or causing pain as an arrow. la0312.
  21 - Pardon ... now ... sleep Some believe that Job is addressing Eliphaz although this does not seem a satisfactory interpretation.
  21 - Sleep Or rest unconscious da1202.
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