Job 17:14

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

إذْ قُلْتُ لِلهَاوِيَةِ: أنْتِ أبِي، وَلِلدُّودَةِ: أنْتِ أُمِّي أوْ أُختِي،

What Does This Mean?

Job is speaking in this verse and says he is comparing himself to corruption and worms, indicating his despair and feeling of being consumed by death. It's a metaphor for how he sees himself in his current state of suffering.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're so sad that you feel like you're turning into something yucky, like mud or worms. That's how Job feels. He's saying he feels so bad that he's becoming like the things that rot and decay.

Historical Background

Job is part of the Old Testament, written around the 6th century BC. The book was likely written to address the question of why the righteous suffer. The audience would have been the Israelites, and it reflects a cultural understanding of suffering and divine justice.

Living It Out Today

Consider someone dealing with a serious illness who feels that their body is betraying them, like Job feels the worms and corruption are his family. This verse can be a reminder that in our darkest moments, we can still find hope and meaning.

Topics

• suffering
• hope
• death
• faith
• human condition
• divine justice

Related Verses

• Psalm 49:14
• Isaiah 66:24
• Ecclesiastes 9:10
• Matthew 8:22
• 1 Corinthians 15:55

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Job compare himself to corruption and worms?

Job is expressing his deep despair and feeling of being consumed by death. The comparison shows his sense of hopelessness in his suffering.

How can this verse be applied to modern life?

This verse can be seen as a reflection of someone who feels overwhelmed by their circumstances, reminding us to seek hope and support even in our darkest moments.

What can we learn about Job's faith from this verse?

Despite his intense suffering, Job maintains a dialogue with God. This verse shows his honest expression of despair, which is part of his larger journey of faith.

How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of Job?

This verse is part of Job's lament where he is expressing his frustration and despair. It's a moment where he feels at his lowest, but it's also part of his broader struggle and eventual restoration.