Job 17:11

KJV

My days are past, my purposes are broken off, [even] the thoughts of my heart.

KJV (with Strong's)

My days {H3117} are past {H5674}, my purposes {H2154} are broken off {H5423}, even the thoughts {H4180} of my heart {H3824}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My days are over, my plans cut off, which I had cherished so;

Berean Standard Bible

My days have passed; my plans are broken off— even the desires of my heart.

American Standard Version

My days are past, my purposes are broken off, Even the thoughts of my heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 17:11 encapsulates the profound depths of Job's despair, articulating a complete and devastating collapse of his life's trajectory and inner world. In this poignant lament, he expresses a harrowing sense of finality, believing his days of meaningful existence have concluded, his life's purposes have been abruptly and violently terminated, and even the innermost intentions, hopes, and aspirations of his heart have been utterly shattered. It is a raw and visceral cry of psychological and spiritual anguish, revealing the comprehensive devastation that accompanies overwhelming suffering, leaving Job with a void where his future once lay.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 17:11 is situated within Job's third cycle of speeches, specifically his impassioned response to Bildad, spanning chapters 16 and 17. At this critical juncture in the narrative, Job has endured unimaginable physical torment, the catastrophic loss of his family and possessions, and the unrelenting, often accusatory, counsel of his three friends. He feels utterly abandoned by God and profoundly misunderstood by humanity. This verse emerges as Job contemplates his perceived imminent death, expressing a deep-seated hopelessness and the finality of his anticipated demise. He starkly contrasts his present state of utter desolation with his former prosperity and honor, lamenting the complete reversal of his fortunes and the shattering of all his life's expectations. The surrounding verses vividly depict his physical decay, the scorn of his friends, and his desperate plea for vindication, all of which intensify his cry of despair and underscore the comprehensive nature of his suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a long and prosperous life, abundant offspring, and material wealth were widely regarded as clear signs of divine favor and righteousness. Conversely, severe suffering, loss, and premature death were frequently interpreted as undeniable indicators of divine judgment for hidden sin. Job's experience directly challenges this deeply ingrained conventional wisdom. His lament in Job 17:11 powerfully reflects the cultural value placed on a meaningful life, the successful fulfillment of one's plans, and the continuation of a family legacy. For his "purposes" to be "broken off" would have been a catastrophic blow to his identity, his standing within the community, and his very sense of self-worth. It represented not merely a personal disappointment but a public humiliation and a perceived sign of profound divine disfavor within his cultural framework, intensifying his anguish beyond mere physical pain.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the Book of Job. It starkly highlights the theme of **profound human suffering and despair**, giving eloquent voice to the experience of utter brokenness when life's foundations crumble unexpectedly. It underscores the **fragility and vulnerability of human plans and aspirations** in the face of overwhelming adversity, challenging the human illusion of control over destiny. Furthermore, Job's lament here deepens the book's intense exploration of **divine justice and the problem of evil**, as Job struggles to reconcile his blamelessness with his inexplicable suffering, feeling as though God Himself has thwarted his purposes, echoing his earlier cries in [Job 10:3](/job/10-3 "Job 10:3 - Job's Plea to God"). The verse also implicitly sets the stage for the book's ultimate resolution, where Job's limited human perspective is confronted by God's infinite wisdom and sovereignty, a truth beautifully articulated in [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Prevails"), which reminds us that "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Purposes (Hebrew, _zimmâh'_):** From H2154, _zimmâh_ refers to a plan, scheme, or intention. While it can sometimes carry a negative connotation (e.g., "wicked device," "mischief"), in this context, it clearly denotes Job's personal aspirations, life goals, and the trajectory he envisioned for his future. It encompasses not just fleeting thoughts but deeply considered intentions and the very fabric of his life's design and direction.
* **Broken off (Hebrew, _nâthaq'_):** From H5423, _nâthaq_ is a primitive root meaning "to tear off," "to pull apart," "to sever," or "to root out." The passive form used here conveys a sense of being abruptly, violently, and completely severed or terminated. It emphasizes the sudden and irreversible destruction of his plans, rather than a gradual decline or a mere postponement. The imagery is one of something once connected and whole, now violently ripped asunder, leaving a gaping void.
* **Thoughts (Hebrew, _môwrâsh'_):** From H4180, _môwrâsh_ typically means "a possession," "heritage," or "inheritance." However, in the context of parallelism with "purposes" and "days," and supported by the broader semantic range of the root (yāraš, to possess/inherit) and some ancient versions, "thoughts" or "deepest intentions" can be understood as referring to the internal "possessions" of his mind and heart—his innermost hopes, desires, and mental constructs for the future. It signifies that not only his external plans but his very internal world of aspirations and mental inheritance has been utterly devastated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My days are past":** This clause conveys a profound sense of finality and the cessation of meaningful existence. Job feels that his life, as he knew it, is effectively over. It's not merely that his time is running out, but that the vitality, purpose, and opportunities of his days have already elapsed, leaving him with no discernible future or hope. This reflects both his severe physical deterioration and his overwhelming emotional and spiritual exhaustion. The Hebrew word for "past" (H5674, _ʻâbar_) implies a "crossing over" or "passing away," emphasizing a transition to an undesirable state of non-existence or futility.
* **"my purposes are broken off":** This is a powerful declaration of shattered dreams and aspirations. Job's life plans, his goals for his family, his legacy, his personal achievements, and his future contributions have been violently and abruptly terminated. The imagery of being "broken off" suggests a sudden, irreversible severing, leaving him with a profound sense of utter futility and the destruction of all he had worked for or hoped to accomplish. It speaks to the abrupt cessation of his life's intended trajectory.
* **"[even] the thoughts of my heart":** This final phrase deepens the lament, indicating that the devastation extends beyond external circumstances and tangible plans to the very core of his being. It refers to his innermost intentions, desires, and the very fabric of his internal world—his hopes, his mental constructs, and his capacity to envision a future. Not only are his external plans destroyed, but his ability to even conceive of a future, to harbor hope, or to formulate new intentions has been utterly crushed. This highlights the profound psychological, emotional, and spiritual toll of his suffering, reaching into the deepest recesses of his being.

#### Literary Devices
Job 17:11 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey the overwhelming depth of Job's anguish and despair. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, particularly **synonymous parallelism**, where "my purposes are broken off" echoes and intensifies "My days are past," and "the thoughts of my heart" further elaborates on the internal destruction implied by the shattering of his "purposes." This repetition with variation emphasizes the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of his loss. The phrase "broken off" functions as a striking **metaphor**, likening his life's trajectory and plans to something once whole and connected that has been violently severed. This evokes a strong visual and emotional image of abrupt, irreversible destruction. The entire verse can also be seen as a form of **hyperbole**, as Job, in his extreme suffering, expresses his situation in absolute and definitive terms, suggesting a complete and utter end to all hope and future, even though the narrative will eventually reveal a different outcome. This hyperbolic language effectively communicates the intensity of his subjective experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 17:11 stands as a poignant testament to the universal human experience of shattered plans and the profound despair that can accompany overwhelming loss. It challenges the simplistic notion prevalent in Job's time (and often subtly echoed in our own) that righteousness always leads to prosperity and suffering to sin, forcing a deeper theological wrestling with the nature of divine justice and the mystery of human suffering. While Job feels utterly abandoned and his life's purposes thwarted by an inscrutable God, his lament paradoxically serves as a persistent cry to that very God, demonstrating a faith that, though wounded and expressed in raw anguish, still engages with the divine. This verse invites us to acknowledge the validity of lament within faith, recognizing that even the most devout can experience moments where their world feels completely undone, yet still direct their cries to the heavens, trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty even when His ways are incomprehensible.

* [Psalm 39:4-5](/psalms/39-4 "Psalm 39:4-5 - The Brevity of Life and Human Frailty")
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Sovereignty of God's Purpose")
* [Lamentations 3:1-20](/lamentations/3-1-20 "Lamentations 3:1-20 - Jeremiah's Deep Lament and Hope Amidst Despair")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 17:11 offers a profound space for empathy and self-reflection, inviting us to confront the stark reality of life's unpredictable nature and the deep pain that arises when our carefully constructed plans, aspirations, and even our innermost hopes are suddenly dismantled. In a world that often values control, progress, and achievement, Job's raw declaration reminds us of the inherent fragility of human endeavors and the inevitability of experiencing loss and profound disappointment. This verse validates the human experience of profound despair, assuring us that it is not only permissible but often necessary to lament when our "days are past" and our "purposes are broken off." It encourages us to bring our brokenness, our shattered dreams, and our deepest inner anguish before God, just as Job did, rather than suppressing or denying them. In doing so, we acknowledge our vulnerability and open ourselves to a deeper, more resilient form of hope that transcends earthly circumstances—a hope found not in the fulfillment of our plans, but in the steadfast character and unchanging sovereignty of God Himself, who remains faithful even when our world feels utterly undone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when your carefully laid plans or life's purposes are suddenly "broken off" or unexpectedly thwarted?**
* **In what ways does Job's honest and unvarnished expression of despair encourage or challenge your own approach to suffering and loss?**
* **Where do you find a sense of enduring purpose or ultimate hope when your personal aspirations and the "thoughts of your heart" feel completely shattered?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 17:11 suggest that Job had lost his faith in God entirely?**

Answer: No, Job 17:11 expresses profound despair and a sense of utter hopelessness concerning his earthly life and plans, but it does not signify a complete abandonment of faith. Throughout the Book of Job, even in his most anguished laments and accusations, Job continues to address God, wrestle with Him, and ultimately seeks an audience with Him. His cries are those of a deeply wounded believer struggling with an incomprehensible reality, not an atheist renouncing God. This verse highlights the raw, honest, and sometimes accusatory nature of lament found in biblical wisdom literature and the Psalms, where faith is expressed not as a denial of pain but as a persistent engagement with God even in the midst of it. Job's faith, though severely tested and expressed through cries of despair, ultimately endures and is vindicated, leading to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty later in the book (e.g., [Job 42:5](/job/42-5 "Job 42:5 - Job's Confession of God's Power")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 17:11, with its raw depiction of shattered plans and a life seemingly cut short, finds its ultimate echo and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job's purposes were broken off due to inexplicable suffering, Christ's life and mission, though culminating in an apparent defeat on the cross, were the perfect fulfillment of God's eternal purpose. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly embraced the ultimate suffering, experiencing a profound sense of abandonment (as cried out in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) and the crushing of His earthly life and human aspirations. Yet, it was precisely through this "brokenness" and the apparent termination of His earthly ministry that God's grandest purpose—the redemption of humanity and the defeat of sin and death—was accomplished. For believers, our own experiences of shattered plans and despair, mirroring Job's lament, are not the final word. In Christ, our broken purposes are not merely restored but are subsumed into God's perfect and unfailing plan, which culminates in eternal life and a new creation where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain")). The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates that even when life's purposes seem utterly broken off, God's ultimate design for glory and renewal prevails, offering a hope that transcends all earthly despair and points to a future where all things are made new in 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

Job 7:6

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Proverbs 16:9

¶ A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

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 8:10

Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

Lamentations 3:37

¶ Who [is] he [that] saith, and it cometh to pass, [when] the Lord commandeth [it] not?

2 Corinthians 1:15

¶ And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

2 Corinthians 1:17

When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?