Job 10:20

KJV

[Are] not my days few? cease [then, and] let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

KJV (with Strong's)

Are not my days {H3117} few {H4592}? cease {H2308}{H2308} then, and let me alone {H7896}{H7896}, that I may take comfort {H1082} a little {H4592},

Complete Jewish Bible

Aren't my days few? So stop! Leave me alone, so I can cheer up a little

Berean Standard Bible

Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,

American Standard Version

Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 10:20 is a profound cry from a man utterly broken by inexplicable suffering, a desperate plea for a moment of respite before the perceived inevitability of death. Amidst his relentless lament and direct address to God, Job, acknowledging the brevity of his earthly existence, begs for a temporary cessation of his affliction, seeking a small measure of comfort and peace before he descends into the darkness of the grave. This verse encapsulates the raw human yearning for relief when overwhelmed by pain, even if only for a fleeting moment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 10:20 is situated within Job's second major discourse (chapters 9-10), a deeply personal and often confrontational lament addressed directly to God. Following the initial cycle of dialogues with his friends, Job shifts his focus from defending his integrity to wrestling with God's perceived injustice and overwhelming power. In chapter 9, Job acknowledges God's omnipotence but questions His fairness, feeling that God, in His might, is crushing him without cause. Chapter 10 continues this direct address, with Job pleading for God to explain His actions, expressing his bewilderment at being relentlessly pursued and afflicted despite his innocence. This particular verse, 10:20, marks a pivot from accusation to a desperate, almost resigned, appeal for a brief reprieve, recognizing his impending end. It highlights Job's profound weariness and his desire for a moment of peace before death, a recurring theme in his laments (e.g., [Job 7:16](/job/7-16 "Job 7:16 - Job's Weariness of Life")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely in the patriarchal period, though its exact dating is debated. Ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, often viewed suffering as a direct consequence of sin, a theological framework that Job's friends rigidly apply to his situation. However, Job's experience challenges this simplistic retribution theology. Lament, as seen in this verse, was a common and accepted form of expression in the ancient world, found extensively in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 6](/psalm/6 "Psalm 6 - A Psalm of Lament and Plea for Mercy")) and prophetic books. It allowed individuals to pour out their grief, confusion, and even anger before God. The awareness of the brevity of life and the inevitability of death was also a pervasive theme, often leading to a focus on the present moment and the desire for a peaceful end, as the concept of a vibrant afterlife was not as clearly articulated as in later biblical revelation.
* **Key Themes:** Job 10:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it underscores **the brevity of human life** and the universal awareness of mortality, intensified by suffering. Job's rhetorical question, "Are not my days few?", echoes sentiments found elsewhere in Scripture about the fleeting nature of existence (e.g., [Psalm 90:10](/psalm/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")). Secondly, it powerfully conveys **the desperate human need for respite and comfort** in the face of overwhelming adversity. Job's plea for God to "cease... and let me alone" reveals his profound exhaustion and desire for even a temporary cessation of his torment. This highlights the human longing for peace amidst distress, a desire for space to process grief and pain without further pressure. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the theme of **lament and honest expression before God**. Job's unfiltered cry, though born of despair, models a raw and authentic engagement with the divine, demonstrating that God can handle our deepest pain and questions, even when our understanding of His ways is limited.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **חֲדַל (Hebrew, _ḥăḏal'_):** This Hebrew verb, translated "cease" or "stop," carries the meaning of desisting, refraining, or leaving off. In Job's desperate plea, it functions as an imperative, a direct command to God to halt His perceived hand of affliction. It conveys an urgent desire for the cessation of the relentless pressure and suffering Job feels.
* **הֶרֶף (Hebrew, _herep̄'_):** Translated "let me alone," this word is an imperative form of the verb meaning "to loosen," "to let go," or "to relax one's grip." Paired with `ḥăḏal`, it forms a powerful double imperative, intensifying Job's plea for God to withdraw His oppressive presence and allow Job a moment of freedom from His perceived pursuit. It suggests a desire for space and release from divine pressure.
* **בָּלַג (Hebrew, _bālaḡ'_):** This verb, translated "take comfort" or "brighten up," implies a momentary cheerfulness, a gathering of strength, or a brief period of composure. It doesn't suggest a full recovery or a return to joy, but rather a fleeting moment of solace or a chance to regain one's breath. The addition of `מְעַט` (Hebrew, _mə‘aṭ'_), "a little" or "a short while," further emphasizes the smallness and brevity of the comfort Job seeks.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Are] not my days few?":** This is a rhetorical question, not seeking information but expressing Job's profound conviction and despair regarding the brevity of his life. In his suffering, this awareness of mortality is intensified, making his desire for immediate relief all the more urgent. It underscores the fleeting nature of earthly existence, especially when contrasted with immense pain. Job feels his life is rapidly ebbing away, and he has little time left.
* **"cease [then, and] let me alone":** This is a double imperative, a fervent and desperate plea to God. "Cease" (Hebrew: `ḥăḏal`) implores God to stop His perceived relentless pursuit and affliction. "Let me alone" (Hebrew: `herep̄`) further emphasizes the desire for God to release His grip, to withdraw His hand of pressure and allow Job space. It conveys an overwhelming exhaustion and a yearning for cessation of his suffering, as he perceives God's hand to be heavy upon him.
* **"that I may take comfort a little":** This clause reveals the purpose of Job's plea: to gain even a minuscule amount of relief or solace before death. "Take comfort" (Hebrew: `bālaḡ`) suggests a brief moment to regain composure, to brighten up momentarily, or to find some temporary ease. The addition of "a little" (Hebrew: `mə‘aṭ`) highlights the humility and desperation of the request – Job is not asking for full restoration or a complete end to his suffering, but merely a brief interlude of peace before his inevitable end.

#### Literary Devices
Job 10:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound emotional and theological weight. The opening phrase, **Rhetorical Question** ("Are not my days few?"), is not meant to elicit an answer but to underscore Job's deep conviction about his impending death and the brevity of his life, intensifying the urgency of his subsequent plea. The entire verse functions as a **Lament**, a common biblical genre where an individual expresses profound sorrow, pain, and confusion directly to God, often accompanied by a plea for intervention. Job's plea itself uses **Imperative Verbs** ("cease," "let me alone") to convey the directness and desperation of his address to God, emphasizing his overwhelming need for divine action. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in his perception of God's relentless pursuit, reflecting the intensity of his subjective experience of suffering rather than a literal theological statement about God's character. Finally, the phrase "take comfort a little" demonstrates **Understatement** or **Meiosis**, as Job's request for "a little" comfort highlights the vastness of his suffering and the smallness of what he now dares to hope for.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 10:20, though born of deep despair, offers profound theological insights into the human condition and our relationship with God during suffering. It affirms the reality of human mortality and the natural longing for relief when overwhelmed by pain. Theologically, it challenges simplistic views of divine justice, as Job's innocent suffering forces a re-evaluation of why the righteous endure hardship. It also underscores the importance of honest lament as a legitimate form of prayer, demonstrating that God is big enough to handle our raw emotions, our questions, and even our accusations when we are in distress. While Job's request for "a little" comfort is modest, it points to a universal human need for solace that ultimately finds its deepest fulfillment in God alone.

* [Psalm 39:4](/psalm/39-4 "Psalm 39:4 - The Fleeting Nature of Life")
* [Psalm 6:2](/psalm/6-2 "Psalm 6:2 - A Plea for Mercy and Healing")
* [Lamentations 3:19](/lamentations/3-19 "Lamentations 3:19 - Remembering Affliction and Bitterness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's desperate cry in Job 10:20 offers profound insights for believers today, providing a window into the depths of human suffering and the innate desire for relief. It encourages a deep empathy for those in distress, reminding us that even the most righteous individuals can reach a point of profound exhaustion and simply plead for a moment of peace. This verse validates the human need for rest—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—especially during trials. It reminds us of the importance of seeking and allowing periods of respite, even brief ones, to cope with overwhelming situations. Furthermore, Job's unfiltered lament gives us permission to express our pain, confusion, and frustration honestly before God, even when we don't understand His ways. It teaches us that authentic faith does not always mean stoic endurance, but often involves wrestling openly with God. While Job's outlook here is one of despair, his cry ultimately points to a fundamental human yearning for comfort that only God can truly provide, reminding us to seek Him for solace in our own "few days."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's desperate plea resonate with your own experiences of suffering or overwhelming exhaustion?**
* **In what ways do you seek "a little comfort" when facing prolonged hardship, and what sources of comfort have you found most helpful?**
* **How does Job's honest lament encourage or challenge your own prayer life, especially when you feel confused or angry with God?**
* **Considering the brevity of our own days, how does Job's awareness of mortality shape your perspective on living purposefully and seeking spiritual solace?**

### FAQ
**Does Job's plea for God to "let me alone" imply a rejection of God?**

Answer: No, Job's plea to "let me alone" (Hebrew: `herep̄`) does not imply a rejection of God, but rather an intense desire for a temporary cessation of the affliction he perceives as coming from God's hand. It's a cry of profound exhaustion and desperation for space and relief, not a desire to abandon his relationship with God. Throughout the book, despite his complaints and accusations, Job never truly renounces God, maintaining his integrity even in the face of immense suffering (e.g., [Job 2:9-10](/job/2-9 "Job 2:9-10 - Job's Refusal to Curse God")). His lament is a form of intense engagement, a wrestling with God rather than a turning away. It shows that even in the darkest moments, a believer can honestly express their pain and confusion to God without severing the relationship.

**What comfort can believers find in Job's lament, given his despair?**

Answer: While Job's lament is filled with despair, believers can find significant comfort in its honesty and authenticity. Firstly, it validates the reality of profound human suffering and the natural desire for relief. It shows that it is permissible and even healthy to express raw emotions, confusion, and pain directly to God, rather than suppressing them. God can handle our anger, our questions, and our desperation. Secondly, Job's persistence in addressing God, even in his accusations, demonstrates a tenacious faith that refuses to let go, even when understanding is absent. This can encourage believers to maintain their dialogue with God even when He seems distant or inscrutable. Finally, Job's yearning for "a little comfort" points to a universal human need that ultimately finds its deepest and most enduring fulfillment in the comfort God provides through His presence and promises, even if Job himself did not fully grasp this at the time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate plea for a brief respite before death, born of overwhelming suffering, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, in his agony, yearned for a moment of comfort in his "few days," but Christ's suffering was of an infinitely greater magnitude, culminating in His cry of dereliction on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Yet, unlike Job, Christ willingly endured this ultimate suffering, not for His own sin, but to bear the sins of humanity (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")). In His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered death and offers not merely "a little comfort" in our fleeting days, but eternal comfort and life beyond the grave. Where Job saw only the darkness of Sheol, Christ promises resurrection and dwelling places in His Father's house ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus' Promise of Heavenly Dwelling Places")). The true "rest" that Job longed for is found in Christ's invitation to the weary and burdened ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")), and the ultimate comfort comes from the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, whom Christ sent to indwell believers ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Comforter")). Thus, Job's lament, while deeply human, foreshadows the divine solution to suffering and mortality found in the Lamb of God, who offers not just a moment of peace, but everlasting peace and reconciliation with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith and Peace with God")).

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 14:1

¶ Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.

Psalms 39:13

O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

Job 13:21

Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.

Job 8:9

(For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)

Job 7:6

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Job 7:7

¶ O remember that my life [is] wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

Psalms 103:15

[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.