Job 16:14

KJV

He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.

KJV (with Strong's)

He breaketh {H6555} me with breach {H6556} upon {H6440} breach {H6556}, he runneth {H7323} upon me like a giant {H1368}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He breaks in on me again and again, attacking me like a warrior.

Berean Standard Bible

He breaks me with wound upon wound; He rushes me like a mighty warrior.

American Standard Version

He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 16:14 is a visceral and agonizing lament from Job, articulating his profound sense of being relentlessly assaulted and utterly overwhelmed by what he perceives as divine hostility. He vividly describes his suffering as an unending series of destructive blows, feeling as though God Himself is an unstoppable warrior, a "giant," charging against him, leaving him broken and defenseless in his inexplicable agony.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's second cycle of responses to his friends, specifically following Eliphaz's second speech. In this phase of the dialogue (chapters 15-21), Job's friends intensify their accusations, asserting that his suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin. Job, however, vehemently maintains his innocence and increasingly directs his lament and protestations directly toward God, rather than solely to his friends. Chapter 16, in particular, is a raw outpouring of Job's despair, where he expresses his profound isolation, the failure of his friends to comfort him, and his perception of God as his tormentor. This verse, "He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant," stands as a stark expression of his feeling of being under direct divine assault, following his initial devastating losses in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Initial Trials") and his severe physical affliction in [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Job's Physical Suffering"). It marks a point where Job's anguish leads him to interpret God's actions in the most terrifying and adversarial terms.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, suffering was frequently understood through the lens of retribution theology: good people prosper, and wicked people suffer. This prevailing worldview is precisely what Job's friends uphold, insisting that Job must have sinned to warrant such calamity. Job's experience directly challenges this simplistic paradigm. His lament in Job 16:14, where he describes God as a "giant" attacking him, draws upon common military imagery of the time—a powerful warrior breaking through defenses. This imagery would have been readily understood as depicting overwhelming, irresistible force. The concept of "breach upon breach" also evokes the collapse of city walls under siege, signifying total destruction and vulnerability. Job's perception, though deeply mistaken about God's character, reflects the human tendency to attribute inexplicable suffering to a powerful, often punitive, divine will, a common response in a world where direct divine intervention was assumed for all major life events.
* **Key Themes:** Job 16:14 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Overwhelming Suffering**, portraying pain not as a singular event but as a relentless, cumulative onslaught, "breach upon breach," suggesting an endless succession of calamities. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Misperception of Divine Justice and Character**. Job, in his agony, perceives God not as a benevolent sovereign but as an active, aggressive adversary, "running upon him like a giant." This perception is central to the book's exploration of how humans grapple with God's ways when they seem unjust or inscrutable, a theme that culminates in God's response from the whirlwind in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind"). Thirdly, the verse vividly expresses **Human Helplessness and Despair** in the face of forces perceived as infinitely superior. Job feels utterly outmatched and without defense, a sentiment that resonates with anyone experiencing profound, inexplicable hardship. This raw honesty is crucial to the book's purpose, validating the human experience of anguish even as it ultimately points to a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in [Job 42:5-6](/job/42-5 "Job 42:5-6 - Job's Repentance and Confession").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **breaketh (Hebrew, _pāratz'_):** This verb means "to break through," "to burst forth," "to make a breach," or "to tear down." When paired with the noun "breach" (פֶּרֶץ, _peretz_), as in "breach upon breach" (פֶרֶץ עַל פֶּרֶץ, _peretz al peretz_), it intensifies the sense of continuous, repeated, and cumulative destruction. It's not a single break, but one after another, like a wall repeatedly collapsing under siege, signifying utter ruin and lack of respite. Job feels his very being is being systematically dismantled.
* **giant (Hebrew, _gibbor'_):** This noun typically refers to a "mighty man," "warrior," "hero," or "champion." In this context, it emphasizes immense strength, power, and often, aggressive military prowess. By likening his perceived attacker (God) to a _gibbor_, Job paints a picture of an overwhelming, unstoppable, and fearsome force charging at him. It conveys his feeling of being completely outmatched, hunted, and crushed by a superior, unyielding power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He breaketh me with breach upon breach":** This clause vividly portrays Job's experience of incessant and cumulative destruction. The repetition of "breach" (Hebrew: _peretz_) emphasizes a continuous series of calamities, one following another without relief, akin to a wall being repeatedly shattered and rebuilt only to be broken again. It highlights the relentless nature of his suffering, suggesting a systematic dismantling of his life, health, and well-being, leaving him feeling utterly broken and without hope of recovery. Job attributes this ongoing destruction directly to God ("He"), perceiving God as the active agent of his undoing.
* **"he runneth upon me like a giant":** This clause further intensifies the imagery of divine assault. By likening his perceived attacker to a "giant" (_gibbor_, a mighty warrior), Job conveys the overwhelming power and aggressive intent he attributes to God. The verb "runneth upon" (Hebrew: _yārûts_) suggests a swift, forceful, and unyielding charge, like a warrior rushing into battle to overpower an enemy. This paints a picture of Job as a helpless victim, cornered and defenseless against an unstoppable, superior force, reinforcing his profound despair and sense of being utterly outmatched and relentlessly pursued by divine wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Job 16:14 is rich in literary devices that amplify Job's anguish. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, as Job exaggerates the extent of his suffering and God's perceived hostility to convey the depth of his despair. While his suffering is real and immense, his description of "breach upon breach" and God "running upon me like a giant" uses extreme language to express his subjective experience of relentless, overwhelming assault. This hyperbole is coupled with powerful **Metaphor** and **Simile**. God is implicitly presented as a destructive force, and explicitly compared to a "giant" or "mighty warrior" ("like a giant"), creating a vivid mental image of an unstoppable, aggressive adversary. This **Personification** of God as a hostile attacker, rather than a benevolent sovereign, underscores Job's distorted perception born of his pain. The phrase "breach upon breach" also employs **Repetition** (specifically, a Hebrew idiom of "noun upon noun") to emphasize the continuous and cumulative nature of the destruction, reinforcing the feeling of an unending onslaught.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 16:14 offers a profound theological insight into the human experience of suffering, particularly when it feels inexplicable and relentless. It reveals the raw, often distorted, perception of God that can arise in the crucible of intense pain. Job's accusation, though ultimately proven to be based on a limited understanding of God's sovereign purposes, validates the human cry of anguish and the struggle to reconcile suffering with God's character. The verse challenges simplistic notions of divine justice and invites a deeper exploration of faith that endures even when God's ways are inscrutable. It underscores that true lament, even when it involves questioning God, can be a legitimate, albeit painful, part of the spiritual journey, ultimately leading to a more profound and authentic relationship with the Divine.

* [Psalm 42:7](/psalms/42-7 "Psalm 42:7 - Deep Calls to Deep") - "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me." (Similar imagery of overwhelming, successive blows)
* [Lamentations 3:1-18](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-18 - The Prophet's Lament") - A sustained lament describing overwhelming suffering and a sense of God's active opposition, mirroring Job's despair.
* [Psalm 77:7-9](/psalms/77-7 "Psalm 77:7-9 - A Questioning of God's Faithfulness") - "Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore?" (A questioning of God's character and faithfulness in suffering, similar to Job's struggle).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 16:14 serves as a powerful reminder that faith is not always neat or comfortable. It validates the raw, honest expression of pain and confusion, even when that pain leads to a distorted perception of God. In moments of overwhelming suffering, when "breach upon breach" seems to be our reality, it is natural to feel assaulted, broken, and utterly defenseless. This verse grants permission to voice that deep anguish, acknowledging that the Bible does not shy away from portraying the full spectrum of human emotion, including despair and even accusations against God. For believers today, it encourages empathy for those who are struggling, reminding us that their cries, however harsh, are often born of profound pain and a desperate search for meaning. Ultimately, while Job's perception of God was flawed, his journey teaches us the importance of persevering in faith, even when understanding eludes us, trusting that God is greater than our current comprehension and that His ultimate purposes are good, even amidst the deepest trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when life feels like "breach upon breach," and one difficulty follows another without respite?**
* **In what ways might our perception of God be distorted during times of intense suffering, and how can we guard against such distortions?**
* **What does Job's raw honesty in this verse teach us about the nature of lament and prayer in the midst of pain?**
* **How can we offer empathy and support to those who, like Job, feel that God is their adversary in their suffering?**

### FAQ
**Does Job truly believe God is his enemy, or is this just hyperbole?**

Answer: While Job's language is hyperbolic, it reflects his genuine perception in the moment of his profound suffering. He is not merely being dramatic; he truly feels that God is actively working against him, breaking him down and attacking him. This is a common, albeit mistaken, human response when facing inexplicable and overwhelming hardship. The book of Job ultimately reveals that God is not Job's enemy, but Job's raw honesty in expressing his pain, even if it involves accusing God, is a crucial part of his journey toward a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and wisdom, as revealed in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind") and [Job 42](/job/42 "Job 42 - Job's Restoration and Confession").

**How can we reconcile Job's perception of God in this verse with God's loving character?**

Answer: Job's perception in Job 16:14 is a reflection of his limited understanding and intense emotional distress, not a definitive statement on God's character. The book of Job, as a whole, works to challenge and correct this very perception. While God allows Job's suffering, He is not an arbitrary or malicious "giant" attacking him. Rather, God is sovereign, righteous, and ultimately just, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension. The narrative reveals that God's purposes are far grander than human suffering, aiming to deepen faith and reveal His glory. This tension between human perception and divine reality is a core theme, ultimately resolved by God's self-revelation, which leads Job to repent of his accusations and trust in God's wisdom, as seen in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Confession and Repentance"). The New Testament further clarifies God's character through the revelation of Jesus Christ, demonstrating God's ultimate love and self-sacrifice for humanity in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's agonizing cry in Job 16:14, feeling broken by "breach upon breach" and pursued "like a giant," finds profound resonance and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job mistakenly perceived God as his adversary, Christ, the Son of God, truly experienced the full "breach upon breach" of human sin and suffering, not as a victim of divine wrath for His own sin, but as the sinless Lamb of God bearing the judgment due to humanity. On the cross, Jesus was truly "broken" for us ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")), enduring the crushing weight of sin and death, feeling utterly abandoned by God the Father ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). He allowed the "giant" of sin and death to run upon Him, not to be defeated, but to conquer. His suffering was not a misperception but a deliberate act of identification with our brokenness, allowing Him to be a sympathetic High Priest who understands our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Empathy as High Priest")). Through His sacrifice, the breaches caused by sin are healed, and the "giant" of death is defeated, offering us not despair but the hope of resurrection and eternal life ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thus, Job's lament, though rooted in a misunderstanding, foreshadows the ultimate suffering of the one who would truly be broken for our redemption, transforming our cries of anguish into a song of victory through Christ.

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 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Judges 15:8

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

Joel 2:7

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

Job 9:17

For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

Lamentations 3:3

Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand [against me] all the day.

Lamentations 3:5

He hath builded against me, and compassed [me] with gall and travail.