Job 10:14

KJV

¶ If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

If I sin {H2398}, then thou markest {H8104} me, and thou wilt not acquit {H5352} me from mine iniquity {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

to watch until I would sin and then not absolve me of my guilt.

Berean Standard Bible

If I sinned, You would take note, and would not acquit me of my iniquity.

American Standard Version

If I sin, then thou markest me, And thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 10:14 captures Job's profound anguish and his distorted perception of God amidst his immense suffering. He expresses a deep-seated conviction that God relentlessly scrutinizes his every action, marking even the slightest transgression, and will ultimately refuse to acquit him of any perceived iniquity. This verse powerfully conveys Job's feeling of being trapped under an oppressive divine gaze, unable to escape a predetermined condemnation, regardless of his innocence or efforts to justify himself. It is a raw lament born from despair, highlighting his struggle to reconcile his suffering with his understanding of a just and merciful God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 10:14 is situated within Job's second major lament (Job 9-10), a passionate and direct address to God following the unhelpful counsel of his friends. In this chapter, Job moves from questioning God's justice and power to pleading for understanding and relief from his perceived divine oppression. He describes God as a relentless hunter (Job 10:16), a meticulous observer of his every step (Job 10:4), and one who holds him guilty without cause. This verse specifically articulates Job's feeling that God's omniscience is turned against him, not for protection or guidance, but for the purpose of finding fault and ensuring his condemnation, intensifying the dramatic tension between Job's innocence and his suffering.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely in the patriarchal period, characterized by a tribal, agrarian society. In this era, suffering was often directly correlated with sin, a common theological framework among Job's contemporaries and friends. The idea of divine judgment for sin was deeply ingrained, and Job himself operates within this framework, even as he protests his own innocence. The concept of "acquittal" (Hebrew: *naqah*) would resonate with legal proceedings of the time, where one sought to be declared innocent before a judge. Job's lament reflects the profound societal and theological pressure to understand his suffering as a direct consequence of hidden sin, a burden he vehemently denies yet feels God is imposing upon him.

* **Key Themes:** Job 10:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job. It underscores the theme of **divine scrutiny**, where Job perceives God's omnipresence not as comforting but as menacing, a constant surveillance aimed at condemnation. This fuels the theme of **unjust suffering**, as Job, despite his righteousness (attested by God Himself in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Testimony of Job's Righteousness")), feels treated as a wicked person. The verse also highlights the profound **human struggle with guilt and innocence**, particularly when one feels unjustly accused. Job's desperate cry for acquittal, yet his conviction that it will be denied, reflects a deep theological confusion regarding God's justice and mercy, a confusion that is central to the entire narrative of [Job's ordeal](/job/1 "Job 1 - The Beginning of Job's Ordeal").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Markest (Hebrew, _shamar'_):** This verb, commonly meaning "to watch," "to guard," or "to observe," takes on a sinister nuance in Job's lament. Here, it implies an intense, meticulous, and often hostile observation, as if God is carefully cataloging every potential misstep for the purpose of accusation or judgment. Job feels God is not merely aware of his actions but actively seeking out reasons to condemn him.
* **Acquit (Hebrew, _naqah'_):** Meaning "to be clean," "to be innocent," or "to be free from punishment/guilt." Job's plea is for exoneration, for God to declare him blameless concerning his iniquity. His despair stems from the belief that God will withhold this declaration, leaving him perpetually burdened by a guilt he feels is unjustly assigned.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _‘avon'_):** This term refers to perversity, guilt, or the punishment for guilt. It encompasses not just the act of sin but also its consequences and the resulting moral stain. Job's use of "mine iniquity" suggests either a hypothetical sin, a sin he is unaware of, or a general human fallenness that he feels God is disproportionately punishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I sin":** This clause introduces a hypothetical condition, or perhaps a general acknowledgment of human fallibility. Job is not necessarily confessing a specific transgression but is lamenting that even the slightest, perhaps unintentional, deviation from righteousness is enough to trigger God's severe judgment. It underscores his feeling that he cannot escape condemnation.
* **"then thou markest me":** This is the immediate consequence of the hypothetical sin. Job perceives God's omniscience as a punitive gaze, meticulously observing and recording his every move, not with compassion or understanding, but with an intent to find fault and hold him accountable. It conveys a chilling sense of divine surveillance.
* **"and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity":** This final clause expresses Job's profound despair and conviction that God will offer no mercy or pardon. He believes that once marked by sin, no matter how minor or unintentional, God will refuse to declare him innocent or release him from the burden of guilt and its associated punishment. It highlights his feeling of inescapable condemnation.

#### Literary Devices
Job 10:14 is rich in literary devices that amplify Job's desperate state. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, as Job exaggerates God's scrutiny and unforgiving nature to convey the overwhelming weight of his suffering and perceived injustice. He speaks as if even a hypothetical sin guarantees eternal condemnation, reflecting his extreme emotional distress rather than a balanced theological assessment. There is also a strong element of **Personification**, where God is portrayed as a relentless prosecutor or a meticulous record-keeper, actively "marking" Job's sins and refusing "acquittal." This anthropomorphic portrayal emphasizes Job's feeling of being personally targeted. Furthermore, the verse functions as a profound **Lament**, a common genre in biblical literature, characterized by direct address to God, expressions of suffering, and often, accusations against the divine. This lament serves to articulate Job's profound confusion and sense of betrayal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 10:14 grapples with the profound tension between God's omniscience and justice, and humanity's inherent sinfulness and longing for mercy. Job perceives God's all-seeing eye as a source of terror and condemnation, rather than comfort or guidance. This reflects a common human tendency to project our own limited understanding of justice onto God, especially when suffering. While God indeed sees all sin, the broader biblical narrative reveals a God who is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" ([Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion and Mercy")), and whose ultimate desire is not condemnation but redemption. Job's cry for acquittal, though seemingly denied in his mind, foreshadows the deeper need for a divine intercessor who can truly bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

* [Psalm 130:3-4](/psalm/130-3 "Psalm 130:3-4 - Forgiveness with God")
* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-24 - All Have Sinned and Are Justified Freely")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 10:14 offers a poignant window into the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by perceived judgment, especially during times of intense suffering or confusion. It reminds us that our perception of God can be profoundly skewed by our circumstances. Like Job, we may mistakenly believe that God is primarily interested in finding fault and condemning us, particularly when we are in pain or struggling with guilt. However, the raw honesty of Job's lament is itself a powerful lesson: God can handle our doubts, our accusations, and our deepest despair. He invites us to bring our unfiltered emotions before Him, trusting that even in our confusion, He remains sovereign and good. This verse serves as a call to examine our own understanding of God's character, particularly His balance of justice and mercy, and to seek a more complete picture of His redemptive purposes, especially when our experiences challenge our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does suffering influence your perception of God's character and intentions towards you?**
* **In what ways might you, like Job, feel that God is "marking" your sin rather than offering grace?**
* **What does Job's raw honesty in lamenting to God teach you about prayer and authentic faith?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 10:14 accurately portray God's character?**

Answer: No, not entirely. While God is indeed omniscient and righteous, and He does see all sin ([Psalm 139:7-12](/psalm/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence")), Job's perception in Job 10:14 is distorted by his profound suffering and limited understanding. He views God's scrutiny as purely punitive and unforgiving, failing to grasp the full scope of God's mercy, grace, and redemptive purposes. The book of Job ultimately reveals that God's ways are higher than human understanding ([Job 42:3](/job/42-3 "Job 42:3 - Job's Repentance and God's Wisdom")), and His justice is always intertwined with His love and sovereign plan, even when it involves allowing suffering for a greater purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate cry in Job 10:14 for an acquittal that he believes God will not grant finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Job longed for a mediator, "one who might arbitrate between us, laying his hand on both of us" ([Job 9:33](/job/9-33 "Job 9:33 - Job's Desire for an Arbiter")), someone who could stand between him and a seemingly unyielding God. Jesus is that very mediator, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). While Job felt God "marked" his sin for condemnation, Christ, in His boundless love, allowed Himself to be "marked" with our sins on the cross, becoming sin for us "so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the perfect acquittal that Job so desperately sought but could not conceive. We are no longer condemned by our iniquity, for "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")). Our High Priest, Jesus, intercedes for us, ensuring that God's gaze upon believers is one of grace and acceptance, not relentless condemnation, because our sin has been fully paid for and we have been declared righteous in Him ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 7:21

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].

Psalms 130:3

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Exodus 34:7

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].

Psalms 139:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].

Job 13:26

For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.

Job 13:27

Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.

Numbers 14:18

The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].