Job 17:1

KJV

¶ My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me.

KJV (with Strong's)

My breath {H7307} is corrupt {H2254}, my days {H3117} are extinct {H2193}, the graves {H6913} are ready for me.

Complete Jewish Bible

"My spirit is broken, my days are quenched, I am marked for the grave.

Berean Standard Bible

“My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me.

American Standard Version

My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, The grave isreadyfor me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 17:1 marks a poignant moment in Job’s lament, where he articulates the profound depths of his physical deterioration, mental anguish, and spiritual despair. Convinced that his life force is decaying, his days are utterly extinguished, and the grave is imminently prepared for him, Job expresses a desperate longing for death as the only perceived escape from his relentless suffering, the unjust accusations of his friends, and his perceived abandonment by God. This verse powerfully conveys the overwhelming sense of hopelessness that can engulf an individual facing extreme adversity without apparent relief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 17:1 immediately follows Job’s impassioned and deeply emotional response to Bildad’s second speech in [Job 16](/job/16 "Job 16 - Job's Lament and Appeal to God"). Throughout chapters 12-14, Job has already expressed a profound desire for death as a release from his torment, famously stating in [Job 3:11](/job/3-11 "Job 3:11 - Why Did I Not Die at Birth?") and later in [Job 10:1](/job/10-1 "Job 10:1 - Job's Complaint to God") that he loathed his life. By chapter 17, this longing has intensified into a conviction of imminent death. He sees his physical body failing, his vital breath corrupted, and his life's span cut short. This verse sets the stage for Job's continued appeal to God, even as his physical state deteriorates, highlighting the tragic irony of his friends' theological pronouncements against his lived experience of suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the patriarchal era, an ancient Near Eastern context where suffering was often directly correlated with sin, and prosperity with righteousness. This prevailing theological framework, espoused by Job's friends, forms the backdrop for their relentless accusations. Job's lamentations, including his desire for death, resonate with common ancient Near Eastern expressions of grief and despair found in various laments and wisdom literature, where physical decay, loss of breath, and the inevitability of the grave were stark realities. The concept of "the grave" (Sheol) in this period was typically understood as a shadowy realm of existence, a place of no return, further emphasizing the finality and bleakness of Job's outlook. His physical symptoms described throughout the book (e.g., boils, foul breath, emaciation) were not uncommon in the ancient world, but their severity and duration, coupled with his social isolation, made his plight uniquely agonizing.
* **Key Themes:** Job 17:1 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book. It vividly portrays **Profound Despair and Physical Decay**, as Job's language of "corrupt breath" and "extinct days" paints a picture of a body and spirit succumbing to an unbearable affliction. This leads directly to the theme of **Imminent Death**, which Job perceives not as a distant possibility but as an immediate certainty, with "the graves... ready for me." For Job, death becomes a longed-for **Release from Suffering**, a final escape from both his agonizing physical pain and the relentless, unfounded accusations of his friends. This verse also underscores Job's profound sense of **Isolation and Misunderstanding**, as he feels utterly alone in his suffering, abandoned by his community, and seemingly by God Himself, making death appear to be his only solace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Corrupt (Hebrew, _nivlâh'_):** From the root נָבַל (naval), meaning "to wither," "to fade," "to decay," or "to putrefy." When applied to "breath" (ruach), it conveys a sense of foulness, decay, or putrefaction, suggesting that Job's very life force or vital essence is decaying from within, perhaps referencing the stench of his sores or the general deterioration of his body. It speaks to a deep, internal corruption or decay rather than mere weakness.
* **Extinct (Hebrew, _nich'aû'_):** From the root נָכָה (nakah), meaning "to smite," "to strike down," or "to wound." In the Niphal passive form, it means "to be smitten," "to be broken," or "to be extinguished." Applied to "days," it paints a vivid picture of Job's life being abruptly cut short, like a flame violently snuffed out or a vessel shattered. It signifies a forceful termination rather than a natural end, reflecting Job's conviction that his life is being prematurely and unjustly brought to an end.
* **Graves (Hebrew, _q'varîm'_):** The plural form of קֶבֶר (qeber), meaning "grave" or "tomb." The use of the plural "graves" rather than singular "grave" could intensify the sense of the overwhelming presence of death, or perhaps refer to multiple burial plots awaiting him or the collective reality of the dead. The direct phrase "graves for me" (קְבָרִים לִי) is stark and personal, emphasizing that his destiny is inextricably linked to the tomb. The KJV's addition of "[are ready]" accurately captures Job's profound sense of the immediate and unavoidable inevitability of his demise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My breath is corrupt":** This clause speaks to Job's profound physical and perhaps spiritual deterioration. "Breath" (ruach) here signifies his vital life force, his very essence. The word "corrupt" (nivlâh) implies decay, putrefaction, or foulness, suggesting that his illness has so ravaged him that his very breath, the sign of life, is decaying. It conveys a sense of internal rot and the repulsive nature of his physical state, both to himself and to others.
* **"my days are extinct":** This powerfully expresses Job's conviction that his life is not merely ending, but being violently cut short or extinguished. "Extinct" (nich'aû) conveys a sense of being smitten, broken, or snuffed out, like a flame. Job believes his allotted time is not running out naturally, but is being abruptly and prematurely terminated, leaving him with no hope of recovery or continuation.
* **"the graves [are ready] for me":** This final clause underscores the absolute certainty and immediacy of Job's perceived death. The plural "graves" (q'varîm) emphasizes the overwhelming reality of death's presence. The phrase "for me" personalizes this inevitability, indicating that the tomb is not just a general destination, but his specific and imminent one. The KJV's interpretive addition "[are ready]" perfectly captures Job's sense that his burial place is already prepared, awaiting his arrival, signifying the absolute finality of his despair.

#### Literary Devices
Job 17:1 is rich in **Imagery** that conveys the depth of Job's suffering and despair. The image of "corrupt breath" vividly paints a picture of internal decay and physical repulsiveness, while "extinct days" uses the **Metaphor** of a snuffed-out flame to represent a life abruptly cut short. The phrase "the graves are ready for me" employs **Personification**, subtly attributing an active readiness to the inanimate graves, further emphasizing the inescapable and imminent nature of death. This is also a powerful example of **Hyperbole**, as Job, in his extreme agony, expresses a certainty of death that, while reflecting his genuine feeling, is an exaggerated statement of finality before his ultimate restoration. The entire verse functions as a profound **Lament**, a common literary form in biblical wisdom and prophetic literature, expressing deep sorrow, complaint, and an appeal to a higher power (or, as here, a resignation to fate).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 17:1 serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of human life and the profound depths of despair that can accompany severe suffering. Theologically, it challenges simplistic notions of divine justice that link suffering directly to sin, as Job's experience defies this formula. His lament highlights the human tendency to seek an end to pain, even if that end is death, when faced with seemingly insurmountable anguish and a perceived absence of divine intervention. It underscores the importance of lament as a legitimate form of prayer and expression before God, even when filled with raw honesty and despair. While Job's immediate outlook is bleak, his cry for death paradoxically sets the stage for his later, more profound expressions of faith and his ultimate encounter with God, demonstrating that even in the deepest pits of human suffering, God remains sovereign, though His ways are often inscrutable.
* [Psalm 88:3-5](/psalms/88-3-5 "Psalm 88:3-5 - A Psalm of Deep Despair")
* [Lamentations 3:1-9](/lamentations/3-1-9 "Lamentations 3:1-9 - Jeremiah's Lament")
* [Ecclesiastes 9:5](/ecclesiastes/9-5 "Ecclesiastes 9:5 - The Fate of the Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 17:1 offers a profound and unsettling glimpse into the human experience of utter despair, physical decay, and the longing for release through death. It challenges us to confront the reality of suffering, not just as an abstract concept, but as a deeply personal and often isolating ordeal. For those who minister to the suffering, this verse serves as a potent reminder of the importance of empathetic presence over simplistic theological answers. Job's friends failed because they offered condemnation instead of compassion. We are called to sit with those in pain, to listen to their raw laments, and to acknowledge the legitimacy of their anguish, even when we cannot provide immediate solutions. For those experiencing similar depths of despair, Job's cry validates their feelings, reminding them that the Bible does not shy away from the darkest aspects of human experience. While Job's immediate hope is the grave, the broader biblical narrative points to a greater hope beyond the grave, where suffering is ultimately redeemed and death is overcome.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw expression of despair in this verse challenge our typical understanding of faith in suffering?**
* **In what ways might we, like Job's friends, inadvertently add to the suffering of others by offering simplistic answers or judgment?**
* **How does the reality of our own mortality, as highlighted by Job, shape our perspective on life and our pursuit of meaning?**
* **What is the difference between Job's longing for the grave as an end to suffering and a believer's hope in the resurrection?**

### FAQ
**Does Job's desire for death indicate a lack of faith or a sinful attitude?**

Answer: Job's desire for death in [Job 17:1](/job/17-1 "Job 17:1 - Job's Despair") and elsewhere in the book (e.g., [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament")) is a raw, honest expression of overwhelming physical and emotional anguish, not necessarily a lack of faith. The book of Job portrays him as "blameless and upright" ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Introduction to Job")), and his laments are a form of desperate prayer and complaint directed towards God, not a rejection of Him. In the biblical tradition, lament is a legitimate and often profound way to engage with God in the midst of suffering. It acknowledges the pain without denying God's existence or ultimate sovereignty, even if His actions are inscrutable at the moment. Job's cries are a testament to his continued engagement with God, even in his darkest hour, rather than a sinful turning away.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 17:1 expresses a profound human despair and longing for the grave as an escape, it subtly foreshadows the ultimate answer to suffering found in Jesus Christ. Job's "corrupt breath" and "extinct days" speak to the pervasive reality of sin and its consequence, death, which afflicts all humanity ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Job longs for the grave, yet Christ entered the grave not as a victim of despair, but as a conqueror. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fully experienced human suffering, even crying out in agony on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), yet His death was a voluntary, atoning sacrifice that swallowed up death's sting ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Job's despair over the readiness of the grave finds its ultimate reversal in Christ's resurrection, which demonstrates that the grave is not the final destination for those who believe ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Thus, Job's lament, though bleak in its immediate context, points forward to the One who would truly conquer death, offering not just an end to suffering in the grave, but eternal life and resurrection hope beyond it ([Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Our Citizenship in Heaven")).

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

Isaiah 38:10

I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.

Isaiah 38:14

Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail [with looking] upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Psalms 88:3

For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

Psalms 88:5

Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

Job 6:11

What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?

Job 17:13

If I wait, the grave [is] mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

Job 17:14

I have said to corruption, Thou [art] my father: to the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.