Job 14:3

KJV

And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

And dost thou open {H6491} thine eyes {H5869} upon such an one {H2088}, and bringest {H935} me into judgment {H4941} with thee?

Complete Jewish Bible

You fix your eyes on a creature like this? You drag him to court with you?

Berean Standard Bible

Do You open Your eyes to one like this? Will You bring him into judgment before You?

American Standard Version

And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, And bringest me into judgment with thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 14:3 captures Job's profound exasperation and rhetorical challenge to God, questioning the divine rationale behind such intense scrutiny of fragile humanity. Following a poignant reflection on the brevity and inherent weakness of human life, Job expresses his bewilderment that an omnipotent and eternal God would fix His gaze so intently on a transient, suffering being, only to then subject that individual to a rigorous and seemingly unjust judgment. This verse articulates Job's deep distress, feeling unfairly targeted by God's attention despite his perceived innocence and inherent frailty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 14:3 is embedded within Job's extended monologue in chapters 12-14, which serves as his final response to his friends' arguments in the third cycle of speeches. Chapter 14 specifically delves into a melancholic meditation on the ephemeral nature of human existence, contrasting it sharply with the enduring power and mystery of God. Job opens the chapter by vividly describing humanity's fleeting life, comparing it to a "flower that comes out and withers" and a "shadow that flees" [Job 14:1-2](/job/14-1-2 "Job 14:1-2 - Humanity's Fleeting Existence"). It is within this profound acknowledgment of human weakness and the inevitability of death that Job's rhetorical question in verse 3 gains its sharpest edge. He challenges the perceived disproportionate attention and harsh judgment from God upon such an insignificant and transient creature, building upon his earlier laments about God's overwhelming power and his own inability to contend with Him in a fair trial, as expressed in [Job 9:32-33](/job/9-32-33 "Job 9:32-33 - Job's Plea for an Umpire").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near Eastern worldview often depicted deities as powerful, sometimes capricious, and largely separate from human concerns, or interacting in ways that were difficult for mortals to comprehend. While a concept of divine justice existed, suffering was frequently interpreted as direct punishment for sin, a theological framework vigorously upheld by Job's friends. The term "judgment" (Hebrew: *mishpat*) was a familiar legal concept, signifying a formal trial or legal dispute where an accused would stand before a judge. For Job, being "brought into judgment" by God carried immense weight, implying a divine courtroom where he, a mere mortal, would be utterly defenseless against an omniscient and omnipotent Judge. The cultural understanding lacked the concept of an impartial arbiter or mediator between God and man, a void that Job desperately longed to fill, as seen in [Job 9:33](/job/9-33 "Job 9:33 - Job's Desire for an Umpire"). Job's protest in this verse is a direct challenge to the prevailing theology that linked his suffering to sin, questioning why he, a righteous man, was subjected to such intense divine scrutiny and suffering, as if he were a grave transgressor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Human Frailty and Mortality**, emphasizing Job's acute awareness of humanity's fleeting nature, inherent weakness, and the inevitability of death. Job sees humanity as utterly insignificant in the grand cosmic scheme, destined for dust, and thus questions why God would expend such intense scrutiny on such a transient creature. This resonates with the broader biblical understanding of human mortality, as expressed in passages like [Psalm 90:3-6](/psalm/90-3-6 "Psalm 90:3-6 - The Brevity of Life"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Divine Scrutiny and Judgment**. Job perceives God's gaze as not merely observant but intensely critical, leading him directly into a divine courtroom. The phrase "open thine eyes upon such an one" suggests an unwavering, perhaps even oppressive, divine attention. Job interprets this attention not as loving care but as a prelude to condemnation, reflecting his profound sense of being held to an impossible standard. Finally, it exemplifies **Job's Lament and Questioning of God**. This verse is a classic instance of Job's raw, honest, and sometimes desperate wrestling with God's ways amidst his unbearable suffering. He is not denying God's existence or power but rather grappling with God's justice and dealings with humanity, especially in the face of perceived innocence and overwhelming pain. His direct address to God, questioning divine actions, is a hallmark of his speeches throughout the book, echoing sentiments found in [Job 7:17-18](/job/7-17-18 "Job 7:17-18 - Job's Questioning of God's Attention").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **open (Hebrew, _pâqach'_):** From H6491, this verb means "to open," specifically referring to the senses, especially the eyes. When applied to God, it denotes a deliberate, focused, and intense observation, implying a gaze that is searching, scrutinizing, and potentially looking for fault. In Job's context, he perceives this divine gaze as oppressive and accusatory, rather than benevolent or watchful.
* **such an one (Hebrew, _zeh'_):** From H2088, this masculine demonstrative pronoun, "this" or "that," is used here to refer to humanity in its frail, transient state, as described in [Job 14:1-2](/job/14-1-2 "Job 14:1-2 - Man's Fleeting Life"). By using "such an one," Job emphasizes the stark contrast between the immense power and eternal nature of God and the utter weakness, brevity, and mortality of human beings. It highlights his bewilderment that God would so intently focus on something so insignificant.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941, this noun properly refers to a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, a sentence, or a formal decree. When Job says God "bringest me into judgment with thee," he envisions himself in a divine courtroom, facing God as his accuser and judge. This is a terrifying prospect for Job, who feels unjustly accused and utterly incapable of defending himself against the omniscient Creator. It implies a formal legal process aimed at determining guilt and imposing a sentence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one":** This is a rhetorical question, expressing Job's profound incredulity and protest. He is asking why God, the Almighty and eternal, would direct His intense, scrutinizing gaze upon a being as frail, transient, and insignificant as humanity, which he has just described as "born of a woman, few of days, and full of trouble" [Job 14:1](/job/14-1 "Job 14:1 - Man's Brief Life"). The implication is that such focused divine attention on a creature so weak seems disproportionate, even oppressive, especially when Job perceives it as hostile rather than benevolent.
* **"and bringest me into judgment with thee?":** This continues the rhetorical question, escalating Job's complaint and revealing the perceived purpose of God's intense gaze. Not only does God observe him intensely, but Job feels that this observation is a prelude to a formal legal proceeding. He perceives himself as being dragged into a divine courtroom, where God Himself is both the prosecutor and the judge. For Job, this is an unbearable situation, as he believes he is innocent of any great sin that would warrant such severe suffering and divine condemnation. He feels utterly incapable of defending himself against God's infinite power and knowledge, highlighting his desperate need for a mediator or an umpire.

#### Literary Devices
Job 14:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Job's distress and theological struggle. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, where Job poses a question not to elicit an answer, but to express his strong indignation, bewilderment, and protest against God's actions. This question highlights the perceived absurdity of God's intense scrutiny of frail humanity. There is also an element of **Irony**, as Job, a righteous man, is being treated as if he were a grave sinner, subjected to a divine trial. The phrase "open thine eyes upon" can be seen as a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human action (opening eyes with intent) to God, emphasizing the directness and intensity of divine observation. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Metaphor** for a divine courtroom or legal proceeding, where Job is the accused and God is the judge, creating a vivid image of Job's perceived predicament. Job's language also contains **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the perceived injustice of God's attention on such a "small" being, to underscore his emotional anguish.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's lament in Job 14:3 touches upon fundamental theological questions regarding human frailty, divine justice, and the nature of suffering. It highlights the profound mystery of God's interaction with His creation, particularly when that interaction appears to be one of relentless scrutiny and judgment rather than compassionate care. Job, from his limited human perspective, struggles to reconcile God's omnipotence and holiness with his own experience of undeserved suffering, feeling that a just God should not subject such a weak and transient being to such a rigorous and seemingly unfair trial. This verse implicitly points to the universal human dilemma of standing before a holy God, acknowledging the inherent sinfulness and weakness of humanity that makes perfect righteousness impossible on our own merits. It foreshadows the ultimate need for divine grace and a perfect mediator to bridge the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

* [Psalm 8:4](/psalm/8-4 "Psalm 8:4 - What is Man?") – "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" This verse echoes Job's sentiment of human insignificance in comparison to God, yet contrasts Job's perception of God's scrutiny with the Psalmist's wonder at God's benevolent mindfulness.
* [Psalm 139:1-6](/psalm/139-1-6 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience and Presence") – "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." This passage describes God's intimate and comprehensive knowledge of humanity, which, while comforting to the Psalmist, is precisely what Job finds overwhelming and threatening.
* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") – "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." This New Testament verse underscores the universal human condition of sinfulness, which, unlike Job's perceived innocence, truly warrants divine judgment, highlighting the need for a different path to righteousness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's raw and honest lament in Job 14:3 offers profound insights for our own spiritual journeys. It validates the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by life's difficulties and questioning God's involvement, especially when suffering seems inexplicable or unjust. Job's wrestling reminds us that faith is not always about having all the answers, but about honestly engaging with God even in our confusion and pain. His cry underscores the inherent human vulnerability and the vast chasm between our finite understanding and God's infinite wisdom. While Job perceived God's gaze as judgmental, the broader biblical narrative reveals God's omniscience as encompassing both perfect justice and profound, intimate knowledge coupled with loving care. Our perception of God can be deeply shaped by our circumstances, yet we are called to trust in His unchanging character. Ultimately, Job's desperate longing for an arbiter, for a way to stand before God without condemnation, points to the universal human need for grace and mercy, which no human effort can provide.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, like Job, sometimes perceive God's scrutiny as judgmental rather than loving or just?**
* **How does my understanding of human frailty and mortality impact my view of God's justice and mercy?**
* **What does Job's bold questioning teach me about honest lament and wrestling with God in my own suffering?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job feel God is unfairly scrutinizing him?**

Answer: Job feels God is unfairly scrutinizing him because he perceives himself as a righteous man who has been unjustly afflicted with immense suffering. In [Job 14:1-2](/job/14-1-2 "Job 14:1-2 - Man's Fleeting Nature"), he has just emphasized the extreme frailty and brevity of human life. From his perspective, it seems disproportionate and cruel for an all-powerful God to fix an intense, critical gaze on such a weak and transient being, only to then drag him into a divine trial. He believes his suffering is not commensurate with any sin he has committed, making God's scrutiny feel like an unwarranted, oppressive act rather than a just examination.

**Is it acceptable to question God, as Job does in this verse?**

Answer: The Book of Job, particularly this verse, strongly suggests that it is acceptable to question God, even to lament and express confusion, in times of profound suffering. Job does not deny God's existence or power; rather, he wrestles honestly and directly with God's justice and His ways. His questions are born out of deep pain and a desire for understanding, not rebellion. The Bible consistently portrays a God who is big enough to handle our doubts and questions, and who often uses such wrestling to deepen our faith and understanding, as seen in the psalms of lament (e.g., [Psalm 22:1](/psalm/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why?")). The key is to approach God with reverence, even in our questioning, acknowledging His sovereignty while expressing our genuine heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate cry in Job 14:3, feeling dragged into judgment by a holy God, powerfully foreshadows humanity's universal predicament and the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. Job's lament over his frailty and his inability to contend with God on his own terms [Job 9:32-33](/job/9-32-33 "Job 9:32-33 - Job's Need for an Umpire") highlights the chasm between a righteous God and sinful humanity. We, like Job, cannot stand in our own merit before God's perfect scrutiny; "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - Universal Sinfulness"). However, what Job longed for—an umpire, a mediator, one who could lay his hand on both God and man—is perfectly fulfilled in Christ. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full judgment of God for our sins, taking upon Himself the very scrutiny and condemnation that Job feared. Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers us a righteousness not our own [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness"), allowing us to stand before God not in fear of judgment, but with confidence and access by grace [Ephesians 3:12](/ephesians/3-12 "Ephesians 3:12 - Access to God through Faith"). He is our great High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses [Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Christ Our Sympathetic High Priest"), our advocate with the Father [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate"), who ensures that those who are in Him face no condemnation [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ"). Thus, Job's cry of despair becomes a profound testament to our desperate need for the saving work of Christ, who transforms God's scrutinizing gaze from a source of terror into an embrace of redeeming love.

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

Psalms 144:3

LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

Psalms 143:2

And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

Psalms 8:4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Job 9:19

If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time [to plead]?

Job 9:20

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: [if I say], I [am] perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

Job 13:25

Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

Job 9:32

For [he is] not a man, as I [am, that] I should answer him, [and] we should come together in judgment.