Job 14:17

KJV

My transgression [is] sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

My transgression {H6588} is sealed up {H2856} in a bag {H6872}, and thou sewest up {H2950} mine iniquity {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will seal up my crime in a bag and cover over my iniquity.

Berean Standard Bible

My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity.

American Standard Version

My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:17 powerfully articulates Job's profound despair and his perception of God as a meticulous and unyielding adversary. He believes his every transgression and iniquity are not merely remembered but are carefully documented, sealed, and preserved by God, ready to be brought against him. This imagery conveys Job's overwhelming sense that his past misdeeds are the direct cause of his current suffering, intensifying his anguish under the weight of perceived divine scrutiny and an inescapable record of his faults.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Job's extended lament in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament on Human Frailty"), a chapter marked by his deep pessimism regarding the brevity and fragility of human life, contrasted with the cyclical renewal observed in nature. Preceding this verse, Job contrasts the fleeting existence of humanity, which, once cut down, does not revive, with a tree's capacity to sprout again ([Job 14:7-9](/job/14-7-9 "Job 14:7-9 - Hope for a Tree, Not for Man")). He expresses a desperate longing for a hidden refuge in Sheol until God's wrath passes, yet he despairs of any hope for resurrection or relief from his suffering ([Job 14:13-14](/job/14-13-14 "Job 14:13-14 - Job's Desire for Sheol")). Within this context of existential despair and a perceived lack of future hope, Job's conviction that God is meticulously cataloging his sins intensifies his feeling of being trapped and without recourse, highlighting the central conflict of the book: the relationship between suffering and sin, and the perceived injustice of God's dealings with a righteous man.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The vivid imagery of "sealing up in a bag" and "sewing up" draws directly from ancient Near Eastern administrative and legal practices. In cultures of that era, important documents, contracts, legal records, or valuable items were routinely placed in bags or containers and then sealed with a signet ring or clay impression. This sealing served multiple crucial purposes: it guaranteed the authenticity of the contents, prevented tampering, and preserved the items for future reference, especially in legal proceedings or for accountability. Job's use of this language projects human judicial and accounting methods onto the divine realm. By portraying God as a divine scribe or judge meticulously compiling a dossier of his alleged offenses, Job underscores his profound sense that his suffering is not arbitrary but is a direct, albeit undeserved, consequence of a meticulously maintained divine record of his faults.
* **Key Themes:** Job 14:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of Job. It starkly highlights the theme of **Divine Scrutiny and Justice**, as Job perceives God not as a benevolent and merciful Father, but as an exacting accountant of sin, meticulously recording every perceived transgression. This perception fuels the theme of **Human Suffering and Perceived Guilt**, as Job, despite maintaining his blamelessness ([Job 2:3](/job/2-3 "Job 2:3 - Job's Integrity")), feels the crushing weight of an unremitting divine judgment. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Mystery of God's Ways**, as Job struggles profoundly to reconcile his righteousness with the severity of his affliction, leading him to the agonizing conclusion that God is actively preserving his iniquities rather than overlooking them—a stark contrast to the divine character of forgiveness and compassion revealed in later biblical texts like [Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - God Removes Transgressions") or [Micah 7:19](/micah/7-19 "Micah 7:19 - God Casts Sins into the Sea").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **transgression (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** This noun, derived from a root meaning "to revolt," signifies a rebellion, a deliberate breach of trust, or a willful sin against an authority. In Job's context, it refers to his perceived offenses against God, implying a conscious act of defiance or a serious moral breach, even though Job maintains his innocence. The use of this strong term reflects the severity with which Job feels his actions are being judged.
* **sealed up (Hebrew, _châtham'_):** A primitive root meaning "to close up" or "to seal." This verb implies making something secure, authenticating it, or marking it as permanent and unalterable. In ancient contexts, sealing documents or containers guaranteed their contents, prevented tampering, and marked ownership or authority. Here, it suggests that Job's transgressions are not forgotten but are permanently recorded and meticulously preserved by God, like a legal document, for future reckoning.
* **bag (Hebrew, _tsᵉrôwr'_):** This noun refers to a parcel, a bundle, or a small bag, often used for carrying money, valuables, or important documents. The imagery evokes the careful collection and preservation of something significant. Job envisions his sins not as fleeting errors but as carefully gathered and stored items, implying a deliberate act of divine memory and retention of his faults, as if they are a valuable collection to be held against him.
* **sewest up (Hebrew, _ṭâphal'_):** A primitive root meaning "to stick on as a patch" or "to impute falsely." In this context, it reinforces the idea of meticulously binding, attaching, or affixing his iniquities. It suggests a deliberate, almost surgical act by God to ensure Job's iniquities are permanently affixed to him, perhaps for presentation or reckoning, solidifying the idea that his past is inescapable and constantly present in God's sight.
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This noun refers to perversity, moral evil, fault, or sin, often carrying the connotation of the guilt or punishment associated with the sin. It highlights the crookedness or distortion of moral character. Job's use of this word alongside "transgression" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the record God is purportedly keeping, encompassing both his actions and the underlying moral fault.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My transgression [is] sealed up in a bag":** Job expresses his profound conviction that God is not merely aware of his past misdeeds (whether actual or perceived) but is actively and meticulously preserving them. The imagery of sealing in a bag suggests a permanent, secure, and undeniable record, as if God is compiling a dossier of his faults, holding them in reserve for future accusation or judgment. This reflects Job's deep sense of being under constant divine scrutiny and accountability, with no hope of his past being forgotten or dismissed.
* **"and thou sewest up mine iniquity":** This second clause intensifies the preceding thought, adding another layer of meticulousness and permanence to God's actions. The verb "sewest up" (or binds/fastens) further emphasizes the deliberate and thorough nature of God's actions. It implies that Job's iniquities are not merely stored but are inextricably linked to him, made a permanent part of his identity or record in God's sight. This reinforces Job's feeling of being relentlessly pursued and judged by God, with no escape from the burden of his past, making his suffering feel like an unavoidable consequence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is exceptionally rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**. The central metaphor portrays God as a meticulous record-keeper or a divine accountant. Job's "transgression" and "iniquity" are personified as tangible items that can be "sealed up in a bag" and "sewn up." This vivid imagery draws from ancient Near Eastern legal and administrative practices, where important documents, contracts, or valuables were carefully bundled and sealed to ensure their preservation and authenticity. By applying this to God's dealings with him, Job powerfully conveys his overwhelming sense that his every fault is meticulously recorded and held against him, making his suffering feel like a direct consequence of an unyielding divine prosecution. The **Hyperbole** in Job's lament underscores his extreme distress and the intensity of his perceived divine scrutiny, as he feels every minute detail of his life is being preserved for judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 14:17 encapsulates a profound human fear: that our sins are eternally remembered and held against us, leading to inescapable judgment. This perspective, born of Job's intense suffering and his struggle to reconcile his blamelessness with his affliction, stands in stark contrast to the redemptive promises found elsewhere in Scripture. While God is indeed omniscient and perfectly just, the biblical narrative progressively reveals His character as one who delights in mercy, compassion, and forgiveness for those who turn to Him. Job's lament highlights the deep human need for a definitive solution to the problem of sin and its record, a need that finds its ultimate and glorious answer in the New Covenant.

* [Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "God Removes Transgressions")
* [Micah 7:19](/micah/7-19 "God Casts Sins into the Sea")
* [Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "God Forgets Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's agonizing cry in this verse resonates deeply with the universal human experience of guilt, shame, and the fear of being held perpetually accountable for our past. His perception of God as a meticulous record-keeper of sins reveals a deep-seated anxiety about divine judgment and the permanence of our moral failures. For us today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the profound relief and liberation offered by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unlike Job, who felt his transgressions were sealed and sewn into his very being, believers in Christ find that their sins are not merely overlooked or temporarily set aside, but are truly forgiven, atoned for, and remembered no more by God. This transformative truth liberates us from the crushing burden of a perpetually remembered and condemning past, inviting us into a relationship with a God who, through Christ, has dealt decisively and completely with sin. It calls us to embrace God's radical grace, to live in the freedom of His forgiveness, and to extend that same grace and understanding to others, knowing that our Heavenly Father does not hold our past against us when we are found in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's perception of God in this verse challenge or affirm your own understanding of divine justice and mercy, particularly in light of your own struggles with sin?**
* **What is the "bag" of transgressions you might feel is being held against you, either by yourself, by others, or by a condemning inner voice?**
* **How does the New Testament's message of complete forgiveness and new life in Christ provide a counter-narrative and a source of hope to Job's despair here?**

### FAQ

**Does Job 14:17 mean God keeps a permanent record of all our sins?**

Answer: Job 14:17 reflects Job's *perception* of God during a time of intense suffering and profound despair. He believes that God is meticulously cataloging his transgressions, holding them against him as a reason for his affliction. While the Bible affirms God's omniscience—He knows all things, past, present, and future—and that He is a righteous judge, the New Testament, especially, reveals a crucial aspect of God's redemptive character: for those who are in Christ, sins are truly forgiven and remembered no more. Passages like [Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - God Remembers Sins No More") state, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Similarly, [Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - God Removes Transgressions") declares that God removes our transgressions "as far as the east is from the west." So, while God knows all, His redemptive work through Christ means that for the repentant, the "record" of sin is effectively erased, leading to reconciliation and new life. Job's lament here powerfully highlights the human longing for such radical and complete forgiveness.

**What is the significance of the imagery "sealed up in a bag" and "sewest up"?**

Answer: This powerful imagery draws from ancient Near Eastern legal and administrative practices, making it highly significant. To "seal up in a bag" (Hebrew: *ḥātam bĕtsĕrôwr*) refers to the common practice of bundling important documents, contracts, legal records, or valuable items and then sealing them with a signet. This act served to ensure their authenticity, prevent tampering, and preserve them securely for future reference or judgment. The phrase "sewest up" (Hebrew: *ṭâphal*) further reinforces this idea, suggesting a meticulous binding, attaching, or affixing. Together, these metaphors convey Job's profound conviction that his sins are not forgotten or dismissed by God but are meticulously preserved and permanently affixed to his record, as if God is building an undeniable case against him. It speaks to a deep sense of inescapable accountability and the perceived permanence of divine memory from Job's anguished perspective.

**How does Job's understanding of God in this verse compare to the broader biblical understanding?**

Answer: Job's understanding of God in [Job 14:17](/job/14-17 "Job 14:17 - Job's Perception of God's Scrutiny") is heavily colored by his intense suffering and his desperate desire for vindication. He perceives God as a relentless prosecutor, meticulously archiving his sins as the basis for his affliction. This perspective, while understandable given his circumstances, contrasts sharply with the broader, progressive biblical revelation of God's character, particularly as revealed in the New Covenant. While God is indeed holy, righteous, and just, He is also revealed as merciful, gracious, and slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness ([Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Mercy and Love")). The New Testament reveals God's ultimate solution to the problem of sin through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, where sins are not sealed up for condemnation but are atoned for and forgiven, leading to reconciliation and new life rather than condemnation ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love in Christ's Death")). Job's lament here powerfully underscores the deep human need for this divine solution to the problem of sin and its record.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 14:17, with its poignant imagery of sins "sealed up in a bag" and meticulously "sewn up" by God, vividly portrays humanity's desperate need for a definitive solution to the problem of sin and its indelible record. Job's lament expresses the crushing weight of perceived divine memory and accountability, a fear that resonates with every human conscience. This profound human cry finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Unlike Job's fear that his transgressions were permanently stored for judgment, the New Covenant declares that through Christ's atoning sacrifice, our sins are not merely overlooked but are decisively dealt with, removed, and remembered no more by God. On the cross, Jesus became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of humanity's "sealed up" iniquities. His shed blood cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1-john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")), and through faith in Him, we are declared righteous, our debt paid in full. The very record of our condemnation, which stood against us, has been cancelled and nailed to the cross ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Cancellation of Debt")). Thus, what Job feared—a permanent, condemning record of sin—is precisely what Christ has abolished for those who believe, offering not judgment, but the glorious freedom of complete forgiveness and new life in Him ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Deuteronomy 32:34

[Is] not this laid up in store with me, [and] sealed up among my treasures?

Hosea 13:12

The iniquity of Ephraim [is] bound up; his sin [is] hid.

Job 21:19

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it].