Job 16:9

KJV

He teareth [me] in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

KJV (with Strong's)

He teareth {H2963} me in his wrath {H639}, who hateth {H7852} me: he gnasheth {H2786} upon me with his teeth {H8127}; mine enemy {H6862} sharpeneth {H3913} his eyes {H5869} upon me.

Complete Jewish Bible

He tears me apart in his anger; he holds a grudge against me; he gnashes on me with his teeth. "My enemies look daggers at me.

Berean Standard Bible

His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes.

American Standard Version

He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 16:9 powerfully articulates Job's profound anguish and his shattered perception of God, whom he now views as a relentless and hostile adversary. In this deeply personal lament, Job graphically describes the divine assault with visceral imagery of tearing, gnashing of teeth, and a malevolent, sharpened gaze, conveying the utter desolation of his suffering and his incomprehension of divine justice. This verse encapsulates Job's desperate cry as he grapples with the inexplicable nature of his unmerited pain, believing it to be directly inflicted by God's wrath and hatred.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Job's third impassioned speech, spanning [Job 16-17](/job/16-17 "Job's Third Speech and Lament"), which serves as his direct and often despairing retort to the simplistic and accusatory theology of his friends, particularly Eliphaz's second discourse in [Job 15](/job/15 "Eliphaz's Second Discourse"). Having endured catastrophic personal losses—his children, wealth, and health—Job finds himself in an agonizing spiritual and existential crisis. He perceives God not as his benevolent protector but as an active enemy, a stark contrast to his friends' unwavering insistence that his suffering must be the direct consequence of hidden sin. Job's lament in [Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of Divine Hostility") immediately follows his bitter denunciation of his friends as "miserable comforters" ([Job 16:2](/job/16-2 "Job's Rebuke of His Friends")), setting the stage for his unfiltered, direct complaint to God about the perceived divine assault and betrayal. This verse is a pivotal moment where Job's internal struggle becomes an outward accusation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job stands as a profound challenge to the prevailing retribution theology prevalent throughout the ancient Near East. This theological framework posited a direct and unwavering correlation: righteousness led to prosperity and blessing, while sin inevitably resulted in suffering and misfortune. Within this cultural paradigm, Job's inexplicable and immense suffering would logically point to a grave, albeit hidden, sin on his part, a conclusion his friends vehemently champion. Job's radical lament, especially his direct and visceral accusations against God in [Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Accusation of God"), fundamentally defies this conventional wisdom. His words are not merely a reflection of personal pain but of a deep spiritual crisis where the traditional understanding of a just, predictable, and benevolent God is shattered by his lived experience of unmerited pain, thereby forcing a confrontation with the inherent limits of human theological understanding in the face of divine mystery and sovereignty.
* **Key Themes:** [Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of God's Hostility") contributes powerfully to several overarching themes that permeate the book of Job. Foremost is **The Problem of Suffering**, particularly the agonizing question of how a righteous individual can experience such immense, inexplicable, and seemingly undeserved pain. This directly challenges the simplistic retribution theology espoused by Job's friends, as articulated by Eliphaz in [Job 4:7](/job/4-7 "Eliphaz on the Fate of the Innocent"). The verse vividly portrays Job's profound sense of **Perceived Divine Hostility**, where his understanding of God is utterly shattered, and he sees the Almighty as an active, malevolent adversary rather than a compassionate protector. This profound sense of betrayal and abandonment underscores the theme of **Lament and Protest**, validating the human right to voice deep anguish, confusion, and even accusation directly to God. Ultimately, Job's raw honesty in this verse is a crucial part of his relentless spiritual struggle, a struggle that, despite its darkness, eventually leads him to a deeper, albeit painful, and more authentic encounter with the divine.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tear (Hebrew, _ṭâraph'_):** From H2963, this primitive root signifies "to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels); catch, [idiom] without doubt, feed, ravin, rend in pieces, [idiom] surely, tear (in pieces)." In [Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of God's Hostility"), it evokes a vivid image of savage, brutal destruction, often associated with a wild beast tearing its prey (e.g., [Genesis 37:33](/genesis/37-33 "Joseph Torn by a Wild Beast")). Job uses this word to convey the violence and merciless dismantling of his being that he feels inflicted upon him by God.
* **Gnasheth (Hebrew, _châraq'_):** From H2786, this primitive root means "to grate the teeth; gnash." This action is universally associated with intense anger, malice, rage, or profound pain. When Job attributes this action to God, it emphasizes a cruel, deliberate act, suggesting a deep, malevolent intent behind his suffering, akin to the hostile gnashing described in [Psalm 35:16](/psalms/35-16 "Hypocritical Mockers Gnashing Teeth"). It conveys a sense of furious, predatory intent.
* **Sharpeneth (Hebrew, _lâṭash'_):** From H3913, this primitive root properly means "to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen; instructer, sharp(-en), whet." Here, it is applied to God's "eyes" (H5869, _ʻayin_), implying a focused, piercing, and hostile gaze. This suggests a malevolent intent and a relentless pursuit, as if God is meticulously planning and executing Job's torment, much like one sharpens a weapon for battle ([Deuteronomy 32:41](/deuteronomy/32-41 "God Sharpening His Sword")). The image is one of precise, calculated hostility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He teareth [me] in his wrath, who hateth me":** Job's opening accusation directly targets God ("He"). The act of "tearing" (H2963, _ṭâraph_) is a violent, destructive deed, explicitly portrayed as being driven by divine "wrath" (H639, _ʼaph_) and "hatred" (H7852, _sâṭam_). This clause reveals Job's deeply subjective experience of God as a hostile, destructive force, a complete reversal of his previous understanding of God's benevolent character and a stark expression of his profound spiritual disorientation.
* **"he gnasheth upon me with his teeth":** This phrase continues the predatory imagery, depicting God as a beast gnashing its "teeth" (H8127, _shên_) at Job. The gnashing (H2786, _châraq_) conveys extreme malice, rage, and a desire to inflict pain. It is a visceral, almost cannibalistic image that underscores the depth of Job's perception of God's aggression and cruelty towards him, suggesting a deliberate and furious assault.
* **"mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me":** The final clause reinforces the theme of a hostile, focused gaze. By explicitly calling God "mine enemy" (H6862, _tsar_), Job unequivocally states his perception of their relationship. "Sharpeneth" (H3913, _lâṭash_) his "eyes" (H5869, _ʻayin_) suggests a piercing, relentless stare, like an enemy preparing for a precise strike. It implies God is observing Job's suffering with a malevolent, calculated intent, rather than with compassion or indifference, highlighting the feeling of being meticulously targeted.

#### Literary Devices
[Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of God's Hostility") is exceptionally rich in **Imagery** that vividly evokes profound suffering and perceived divine hostility. The verse prominently employs striking **Zoomorphism**, portraying God with animalistic, predatory characteristics such as tearing and gnashing teeth, implicitly comparing Him to a wild beast or a relentless hunter. The phrase "sharpeneth his eyes" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for a piercing, hostile gaze, perhaps also a **Simile** comparing eyes to sharpened weapons, emphasizing the precision and malevolence of God's perceived intent. Job's language is marked by **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the divine actions to convey the extremity of his physical and spiritual torment and his profound sense of divine antagonism. The verse also utilizes **Pathos**, powerfully evoking strong feelings of pity for Job's plight and horror at his perception of God's actions. The three clauses demonstrate a form of **Parallelism**, reinforcing the same theme of divine hostility through distinct yet equally violent actions, building a crescendo of Job's anguish and despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of God's Hostility") represents a radical theological departure within the biblical narrative, as Job, a man explicitly declared righteous by God Himself ([Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "God's Commendation of Job")), directly accuses God of being his tormentor and enemy. This challenges the conventional understanding of a predictable, always benevolent God who consistently rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. Job's lament forces a raw confrontation with the mystery of divine justice and the nature of suffering that defies human explanation and theological neatness. It highlights the profound tension between human experience and theological dogma, asserting the validity of raw, honest protest in the face of inexplicable pain. The verse thus opens a vital theological space for grappling with God's perceived absence or hostility in suffering, without necessarily abandoning faith, demonstrating that authentic faith can encompass profound doubt and accusation.

* [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "A Cry of Abandonment")
* [Lamentations 3:1-18](/lamentations/3-18 "The Prophet's Anguish")
* [Job 13:24](/job/13-24 "Job's Plea for God Not to Hide His Face")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of God's Hostility") serves as a profound validation of human anguish and the legitimacy of lament within the spiritual journey. It reminds us that the Bible, in its unflinching honesty, gives voice to the deepest human suffering and despair, demonstrating that it is permissible, even necessary, to express feelings of abandonment, betrayal, or even anger towards God in times of intense trial. Job's raw honesty in perceiving God as his adversary, though ultimately a flawed perception from a human viewpoint, is a powerful model for bringing our most painful and challenging emotions directly before the Almighty. This verse offers deep empathy and solidarity for those who, in their deepest pain, struggle to reconcile their suffering with God's goodness and feel that God has turned His face away from them. It underscores that the journey of faith is not always one of serene understanding and unwavering trust, but often involves wrestling with incomprehensible divine actions and perceived hostility. Job's relentless questioning, even his accusations, ultimately led him to a deeper, more personal, and ultimately transformative encounter with God, demonstrating that faith can endure and even be refined through profound spiritual darkness and perceived divine antagonism, encouraging perseverance even when God's ways are inscrutable to our limited understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw expression of perceived divine hostility resonate with your own experiences of suffering, doubt, or spiritual wrestling?**
* **In what ways might our understanding of God be challenged or refined during times of inexplicable pain or perceived divine absence, and how can we navigate those challenges faithfully?**
* **What does Job's willingness to vocalize such accusations teach us about the nature of honest prayer, authentic lament, and a faith that is robust enough to grapple with profound spiritual questions?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 16:9 mean God actually hated Job?**

Answer: No, the Book of Job ultimately reveals that God did not hate Job but was, in fact, testing his faith and vindicating his righteousness against Satan's accusations, as clearly established in the book's prologue ([Job 1:8-12](/job/1-8 "God's Commendation of Job and Satan's Challenge")). Job's words in [Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of God's Hostility") reflect his *perception* and *feeling* in the midst of extreme, incomprehensible suffering, not divine reality or God's actual disposition towards him. It is a deeply human cry of anguish and confusion, expressing the subjective experience of a man whose world has been shattered and whose understanding of God has been profoundly challenged. The book concludes with Job's renewed understanding of God's sovereignty and his own restoration, demonstrating God's ultimate justice, wisdom, and love ([Job 42](/job/42 "Job's Restoration and Vindication")).

**How can a righteous person like Job speak so harshly about God?**

Answer: Job's harsh words are an expression of profound spiritual and emotional agony, a desperate attempt to grapple with suffering that defies conventional explanation and theological frameworks. The Book of Job, in its very inclusion of such raw lament and accusation, validates the human right to question God and express intense emotions, even anger and despair, in prayer. It demonstrates that authentic faith is not always serene and unquestioning but can and often does include wrestling with God, expressing anger, confusion, and despair. Job's willingness to be utterly honest with God, even in his accusations, ultimately leads him to a deeper, more personal encounter with the Almighty, as seen in his repentance and confession in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job's Repentance and Confession"). This teaches us that God can handle our anger, our questions, and our doubts, and that such radical honesty can be a pathway to profound spiritual growth and a more mature faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's agonizing lament in [Job 16:9](/job/16-9 "Job's Perception of God's Hostility"), where he perceives God as a hostile, tearing adversary, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job mistakenly attributed divine wrath and hatred to himself, the truly righteous Jesus, on the cross, experienced the actual bearing of divine judgment for humanity's sin. His cry, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes Job's profound sense of abandonment, yet it was not a perceived hostility but the real, crushing weight of God's wrath against sin that Christ bore on our behalf. Unlike Job, who was innocent but felt condemned, Jesus was truly innocent yet "became 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 Became Sin for Us")). Through His unparalleled suffering, Jesus enters into the deepest human anguish, including the feeling of divine abandonment and the crushing weight of perceived hostility, transforming it into redemptive love and reconciliation. His sacrifice on the cross demonstrates God's profound, self-giving love, even while we were still sinners ([romans/5-8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")), offering ultimate comfort, vindication, and eternal reconciliation to all who suffer and seek Him.

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 35:16

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Lamentations 2:16

All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed [her] up: certainly this [is] the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen [it].

Job 13:24

Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?

Acts 7:54

¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth.

Job 19:11

He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as [one of] his enemies.

Job 18:4

He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?

Hosea 6:1

¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.