Job 7:15
Job 7:15 in Multiple Translations
so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than these my bones.
So that a hard death seems better to my soul than my pains.
that I would rather be strangled—I would rather die than become just a bag of bones.
Therefore my soule chuseth rather to be strangled and to die, then to be in my bones.
And my soul chooseth strangling, Death rather than my bones.
so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death.
with the result that I would prefer to be strangled to death than to continue to be alive being only a bunch of bones.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 7:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 7:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּבְחַ֣ר
מַחֲנָ֣ק
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
מָ֝֗וֶת
מֵֽ/עַצְמוֹתָֽ/י
וַ/תִּבְחַ֣ר
bâchar
H977
to choose
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
מַחֲנָ֣ק
machănaq
H4267
strangling
N-ms
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
מָ֝֗וֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
N-ms
מֵֽ/עַצְמוֹתָֽ/י
ʻetsem
H6106
bone
Prep | N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 7:15
וַ/תִּבְחַ֣ר
bâchar
H977
"to choose"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.
Definition: 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. See also: Genesis 6:2; 2 Kings 23:27; Psalms 25:12.
מַחֲנָ֣ק
machănaq
H4267
"strangling"
N-ms
This word means choking or strangling, referring to a mode of death. It's a strong term used in the Bible to describe a serious and deadly act, translated as 'strangling' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) strangling, suffocation 1a) as a mode of death
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: strangling. See also: Job 7:15.
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
מָ֝֗וֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
מֵֽ/עַצְמוֹתָֽ/י
ʻetsem
H6106
"bone"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word refers to a bone or the body, and can also mean the substance or essence of something. It is used in many parts of the Bible, including in the book of Genesis and Psalms, to describe the physical body.
Definition: : bone/limb 1) bone, essence, substance 1a) bone 1a1) body, limbs, members, external body 1b) bone (of animal) 1c) substance, self
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 2:23; Job 33:19; Psalms 6:3.
Study Notes — Job 7:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 7:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 7:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 7:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 7:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 7:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 7:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 7:15
- Cambridge Bible on Job 7:15
- Barnes' Notes on Job 7:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 7:15
- Sermons on Job 7:15
Context — Job Continues: Life Seems Futile
13When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,
14then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,
15so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.
16I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath. 17What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 27:5 | So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 17:23 | When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. |
Job 7:15 Summary
In Job 7:15, Job is saying that he would rather die than continue living in his current state of suffering and misery. This is because he is feeling overwhelmed by the frightening dreams and visions God is giving him, and he feels like he can't take it anymore, similar to what is expressed in Psalm 38:9. This verse shows us that it's okay to be honest with God about our feelings, even if they are difficult or painful, as seen in Psalm 51:17, and that God can handle our honesty and will meet us in our time of need, as expressed in Hebrews 4:15-16. It also reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when things don't make sense, as seen in Romans 11:33-36.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Job say he would prefer strangling and death over his life in this body?
Job says this because he is feeling overwhelmed by his suffering and the frightening dreams and visions God is giving him, as seen in Job 7:14, and he feels that death would be a more desirable option than continuing in his current state of misery, similar to what is expressed in 1 Kings 19:4.
Is Job's desire for death a sinful attitude?
While it may seem that way, Job's desire for death is more a reflection of his desperation and feeling of being overwhelmed, as seen in Psalm 38:9, and it is not necessarily a sinful attitude, but rather a cry of despair and a desire to be free from his suffering, as expressed in Job 3:20-22.
How does Job's statement relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?
Job's statement in Job 7:15 highlights the central theme of the book, which is the question of why God allows suffering and how believers should respond to it, as seen in Job 1:9 and Romans 8:28, and it sets the stage for the rest of the book, which explores this theme in more depth.
What can we learn from Job's expression of his feelings in this verse?
We can learn that it is okay to express our feelings and emotions to God, even if they are feelings of desperation and despair, as seen in Psalm 51:17, and that God can handle our honesty and will meet us in our time of need, as expressed in Hebrews 4:15-16.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like Job, feeling overwhelmed and desperate, and how did I respond to those feelings?
- How can I, like Job, be honest with God about my feelings and emotions, even when they are difficult or painful?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when I am going through a difficult time, as seen in Job 7:15 and Romans 11:33-36?
- How can I balance my desire for relief from suffering with my trust in God's plan and purpose for my life, as expressed in Jeremiah 29:11 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10?
Gill's Exposition on 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 7:15
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. My soul chooseth strangling.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 7:15
Chooseth; not simply and in itself, but comparatively, rather than such a wretched life. Strangling; the most violent, so it be but a certain and sudden death. Rather than my life, Heb. than my bones, i.e. than my body, formerly the soul’ s dear and desired companion; or than to be in the body, which commonly consists of skin, and flesh, and bones, but in Job was in a manner nothing but a bundle of boiles; for his skin was every where broken, and his flesh was quite consumed, as he oft complains, and his bones also were not free from pain and torment; for as Satan’ s commission reached to Job’ s bones, , so doubtless his malice and wicked design would engage him to execute it to the utmost.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 7:15
Job 7:15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.Ver. 15. So that my soul chooseth strangling] i.e. Quamvis durissimam sed praesentissimam mortem, any violent or ignominious death, as long as it were a speedy death. Hippocrates telleth us, that many have been so frightened with dreams and apparitions, that they have hanged themselves, leaped into deep pits, or otherwise committed suicide. Let those that either have not been so terrified, or so tempted, or so deserted of God, bless him for that mercy. And death rather than life] Heb. Rather than my bones; that is, any kind of death rather than such a body, which is now nothing else but a bag of bones; or than such rotten bones full of sores and ulcers. He maketh mention of his bones, because his pain had pierced as far as his very bones; the putrefaction had sunk down into his marrow.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 7:15
(15) So that my soul maketh choice of strangling and death rather than a life like this. Literally, than these my bones, or, as some take it, a death by these my members: a death inflicted by myself, suicide.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 7:15
Verse 15. Chooseth strangling] It is very likely that he felt, in those interrupted and dismal slumbers, an oppression and difficulty of breathing something like the incubus or nightmare; and, distressing as this was, he would prefer death by this means to any longer life in such miseries.
Cambridge Bible on Job 7:15
15. Consequence of the preceding, Job 7:14. chooseth strangling] A sense of choking is one of the accompaniments of the disease, which is said to end sometimes in actual suffocation. Job refers to this symptom, saying that he is driven to desire that it might be really fatal. The parallel word death in the next clause shews that this is what he is driven to wish for, but he selects this form of death as one incidental to his disease, and one with which he had perhaps felt himself more than once threatened. death rather than my life] lit. death rather than these my bones. So he describes the emaciated skeleton to which he was reduced.
Barnes' Notes on Job 7:15
So that my soul - So that I; the soul being put for himself. Chooseth strangling - Dr.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 7:15
15. Strangling — Difficulty of swallowing is one of the symptoms of elephantiasis, (Bridel,) and suffocation is its usual end.
Sermons on Job 7:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Spiritual Leader by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a strong and uncompromising leader for the next generation of believers. He urges listeners to take their calling ser |
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Jabez a Lonely Man by John Phillips | In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing a cartoon that appeared in an American newspaper during the time of the moon landing. The cartoon depicts two astronauts on Mars, |
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Can a Christian Commit Suicide? by Tim Conway | This sermon addresses the question of whether a Christian can commit suicide, highlighting that suicide is self-murder driven by unfulfilled desires. It explores biblical examples |
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Understanding Marriage - Spiritual Preparation for Marriage by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of humility and meekness as described in Ephesians chapter four. He emphasizes the importance of living new lives as new people in |
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Knowing God's Will by Peter Maiden | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the certainty of God's guidance for His children. He highlights that God is revealed as a shepherd and a father in the Bible, guiding His pe |
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Are You Perishing? the Reason for Our Being by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead preaches about the urgency of repentance and the impending judgment by God, as seen in Acts 17:23-31. He emphasizes that sin is not just an inherited condition but a |
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Ii Samuel 17:23 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the tragic story of Ahithophel, a once-trusted advisor to King David who became a poor loser after aligning himself with Absalom. Despite his wisdom, Ahithoph |