Job 17:7

KJV

Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow.

KJV (with Strong's)

Mine eye {H5869} also is dim {H3543} by reason of sorrow {H3708}, and all my members {H3338} are as a shadow {H6738}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am nearly blind with grief, my limbs reduced to a shadow.

Berean Standard Bible

My eyes have grown dim with grief, and my whole body is but a shadow.

American Standard Version

Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 17:7 powerfully articulates the profound physical and emotional devastation wrought by immense, undeserved suffering. In this poignant lament, Job describes the deterioration of his body, attributing his failing eyesight and emaciated frame directly to the overwhelming sorrow, injustice, and spiritual anguish that have consumed him, leaving him feeling like a mere insubstantial shadow on the precipice of non-existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 17:7 is situated within Job's third cycle of speeches, specifically his impassioned response to Bildad (Job 16-17). By this point in the narrative, Job has completely abandoned any hope of genuine comfort or understanding from his three friends, whose rigid adherence to retribution theology only exacerbates his pain. Instead, Job turns his desperate plea directly to God, even calling for a divine arbiter or witness to vouch for his innocence, as powerfully expressed in [Job 16:19](/job/16-19 "Job 16:19 - Job's Heavenly Witness"). This particular verse immediately follows Job's declaration that his spirit is broken, his days are extinct, and the grave awaits him ([Job 17:1](/job/17-1 "Job 17:1 - Job's Utter Despair")), highlighting the profound depth of his despair and the visible physical manifestations of his prolonged suffering. He feels mocked by those around him ([Job 17:2](/job/17-2 "Job 17:2 - Job's Mockers")), yet paradoxically, he still clings to a desperate hope for vindication from the very God whom he feels is crushing him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a prevalent worldview, often termed "retribution theology," posited a direct correlation between one's moral conduct and their material prosperity or suffering. Health and abundance were typically viewed as indicators of divine favor, while affliction was frequently interpreted as a sign of hidden sin or divine displeasure. This theological framework is precisely what Job's friends espouse throughout the book, leading them to accuse him and intensify his anguish. Job's lament, therefore, serves as a profound challenge to this prevailing societal and theological norm, presenting a compelling case of righteous suffering. The physical descriptions in the verse reflect a common ancient understanding of the interconnectedness of body and soul; intense emotional and spiritual distress was widely believed to directly impact one's physical well-being. Furthermore, the concept of a "shadow" as a metaphor for frailty, the brevity of life, and the insubstantiality of human existence was a deeply ingrained motif in ancient wisdom literature, echoing sentiments found in various psalms.
* **Key Themes:** Job 17:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes explored throughout the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - A Study of Suffering and Sovereignty"). Firstly, it vividly portrays **the physical manifestation of grief and spiritual anguish**, illustrating how profound emotional and spiritual suffering can directly impact physical health, leading to visible deterioration and a loss of vitality. This underscores the **holistic nature of human experience**, emphasizing that mind, body, and spirit are deeply intertwined and mutually affected by distress. Secondly, the verse highlights **human frailty and mortality**, as Job's description of his "members as a shadow" powerfully conveys the fleeting and insubstantial nature of human life when confronted with overwhelming adversity, a theme echoed in [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life"). Finally, it powerfully conveys Job's profound sense of **despair and isolation**, as he feels reduced to a mere outline of his former self, abandoned by both God and man, and on the very brink of death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dim (Hebrew, _kâhâh'_):** From H3543, this primitive root signifies "to be weak," particularly in the sense of growing dull or failing, as with light or the eye. Figuratively, it can mean "to despond." In Job's context, it describes his eyesight failing, but it extends metaphorically to a general loss of vibrancy, acuity, and strength, indicating a profound weariness that affects his entire being and his ability to perceive any hope or endure further.
* **sorrow (Hebrew, _kaʻaç'_):** From H3708, this noun denotes "vexation," "anger," "grief," "indignation," or "provocation." It captures the intense emotional distress Job experiences, encompassing not just sadness but also a deep sense of injustice, frustration, and spiritual anguish. This word underscores the profound internal turmoil that Job identifies as the direct cause of his physical decline.
* **members (Hebrew, _yâtsur'_):** From H3338, this passive participle refers to a "structure," specifically a "limb or part" of the body. When Job states "all my members," he is referring to his entire physical being, every part of his body. The use of this term emphasizes the comprehensive nature of his physical deterioration, indicating that no part of him is unaffected by his suffering.
* **shadow (Hebrew, _tsêl'_):** From H6738, this noun refers to "shade," whether literal or figurative. It often connotes something insubstantial, fleeting, or lacking solidity. When Job states "all my members are as a shadow," he is expressing extreme emaciation, weakness, and a feeling of being utterly depleted, close to non-existence, like a mere silhouette or a fading image that holds no substance or vigor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow":** This clause establishes a direct causal link between Job's intense emotional and spiritual suffering ("sorrow") and his physical deterioration, specifically his failing eyesight. It highlights the psychosomatic impact of his anguish, where profound internal distress manifests externally. The dimming of his eyes symbolizes not only physical blindness or weakness of sight but also a loss of hope, clarity, and the ability to perceive a way out of his desperate predicament, reflecting a deep spiritual and emotional exhaustion.
* **"and all my members [are] as a shadow":** This second clause extends the physical decay to his entire body ("all my members"), indicating a comprehensive physical decline. The powerful simile "as a shadow" conveys an extreme state of emaciation, weakness, and insubstantiality. Job feels his body has lost its substance and vigor, becoming a mere outline, a fading image, signifying his proximity to death and his utter depletion of strength and vitality, as though he is barely present in the physical world.

#### Literary Devices
Job 17:7 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the overwhelming depth of Job's suffering and physical decay. The most prominent is **Simile**, particularly in the phrase "all my members [are] as a shadow." This vivid comparison is not literal but powerfully conveys the profound sense of physical emaciation, weakness, and insubstantiality Job feels, as if his body has lost all its substance and is on the verge of disappearing. **Hyperbole** is also present, as Job uses extreme language to describe his condition, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of his pain and physical decay beyond a mere ailment, suggesting a complete dissolution of his being. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the two clauses, though not strictly synonymous, both contribute to the central theme of profound physical and emotional deterioration resulting from overwhelming sorrow. The cumulative effect of these stark descriptions evokes strong **Pathos**, eliciting deep sympathy and understanding from the reader for Job's desperate and agonizing plight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 17:7 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of suffering and the human condition. It directly challenges a simplistic retribution theology by demonstrating that intense, undeserved sorrow can have devastating physical consequences, even on a righteous individual. This verse underscores the deep interconnectedness of the human person—body, soul, and spirit—and the reality that internal anguish can manifest externally in tangible ways. It highlights the mystery of suffering and the limits of human understanding in the face of divine sovereignty, forcing the reader to grapple with the perplexing question of why the righteous suffer. Job's lament, while expressing profound despair and a sense of fading away, implicitly points to the enduring human longing for vindication, justice, and the ultimate restoration that only God can provide, even when the path is shrouded in darkness and the sufferer feels utterly abandoned.

* [Psalm 6:7](/psalms/6-7 "Psalm 6:7 - Eyes Wasted by Grief")
* [Psalm 102:11](/psalms/102-11 "Psalm 102:11 - Days Like a Fading Shadow")
* [Lamentations 2:11](/lamentations/2-11 "Lamentations 2:11 - Eyes Wasted with Tears")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 17:7 offers a poignant and timeless insight into the profound, holistic impact of suffering on the human being, reminding us that deep emotional and spiritual anguish can manifest in tangible physical ways. It calls for profound empathy and compassion towards those who are enduring immense sorrow, urging us to move beyond simplistic judgments or unhelpful advice, such as that offered by Job's friends. This verse validates the reality that it is permissible to lament, to express the raw and painful truth of our physical and emotional deterioration when overwhelmed by life's hardships. It teaches us that feeling diminished, "as a shadow," is a real and often unavoidable part of the human experience of grief, loss, and prolonged distress, and it underscores the critical importance of genuine presence, understanding, and sustained support for those who feel their very substance fading away. Ultimately, while Job's despair is palpable, the verse also implicitly points to the enduring human need for hope, healing, and the eventual vindication that God, in His mysterious wisdom and perfect timing, orchestrates for His faithful.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's lament in this verse resonate with your own experiences of suffering or grief, where emotional pain has impacted your physical well-being?**
* **In what ways might intense emotional or spiritual distress manifest physically in our lives or the lives of others, and how can we recognize these signs with compassion?**
* **How can we offer genuine, compassionate support to those who feel their "members are as a shadow," rather than offering simplistic answers or judgments that may cause further pain?**
* **What does Job's willingness to express such raw vulnerability and physical deterioration teach us about honesty and authenticity in our prayers and laments before God?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 17:7 imply that all physical ailments are a direct result of sorrow or sin?**

Answer: Job 17:7 reflects Job's personal experience and his belief that his physical deterioration is a direct consequence of his overwhelming sorrow and the profound injustice he perceives. In the ancient Near Eastern worldview, there was often a strong correlation drawn between one's moral state and physical well-being, leading to the assumption that suffering indicated sin. However, the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - A Study of Suffering and Sovereignty") as a whole precisely challenges and ultimately refutes this simplistic retribution theology. While it powerfully acknowledges the deep interconnectedness of body and soul—that intense emotional distress can indeed manifest physically—it does not teach that all physical ailments are a direct result of personal sin or sorrow. Jesus Himself directly refutes this notion in [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1 "John 9:1-3 - Not Because of Sin") when asked about the man born blind, stating that his blindness was "not that this man sinned, or his parents." Job's case is unique in its intensity and its divinely permitted nature, serving as a profound exploration of undeserved suffering and the mystery of God's sovereignty rather than a general rule for all illness or affliction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament in [Job 17:7](/job/17-7 "Job 17:7 - Job's Physical and Emotional Decay"), where he describes himself as having a dimming eye and his members becoming a fading shadow due to overwhelming sorrow, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job's suffering, though immense and deeply personal, was a finite human experience; Christ's suffering, however, was infinite, bearing the full, crushing weight of the world's sin and sorrow. The prophet Isaiah foreshadowed Christ as one whose "visage was so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men" ([Isaiah 52:14](/isaiah/52-14 "Isaiah 52:14 - The Suffering Servant")), a description that echoes and surpasses Job's physical decay. On the cross, Jesus truly became "as a shadow," not merely from personal sorrow but from the crushing burden of divine wrath and separation, experiencing the ultimate physical and spiritual abandonment. He was "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Atoning Sacrifice")), taking on the very dimness and shadow of death that Job feared. Yet, unlike Job, Christ's suffering was not for His own sin, but for ours, and it culminated not in permanent decay but in glorious resurrection and triumphant victory over the grave. Through His victory over death, Christ transforms the "shadow" of human frailty, suffering, and mortality into the substance of eternal life and enduring hope. He is our sympathetic High Priest who fully understands our weakness and suffering ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Our Sympathetic High Priest")), having experienced all things as we do, yet without sin. In Him, those who feel like fading shadows find their true light, enduring hope, and ultimate vindication, knowing that our "light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" ([2-corinthians/4-17](/2-corinthians/4-17 "2 Corinthians 4:17 - Light and Momentary Troubles")).

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 16:16

My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids [is] the shadow of death;

Psalms 31:9

¶ Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, [yea], my soul and my belly.

Psalms 31:10

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Psalms 6:7

Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Lamentations 5:17

¶ For this our heart is faint; for these [things] our eyes are dim.

Psalms 109:23

I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.

Job 16:8

And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, [which] is a witness [against me]: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.