Job 19:10

KJV

He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath destroyed {H5422} me on every side {H5439}, and I am gone {H3212}: and mine hope {H8615} hath he removed {H5265} like a tree {H6086}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He tears every part of me down - I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree.

Berean Standard Bible

He tears me down on every side until I am gone; He uproots my hope like a tree.

American Standard Version

He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; And my hope hath he plucked up like a tree.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 19:10 is a profound expression of utter devastation and despair from the patriarch Job, who attributes his comprehensive ruin directly to God. Having lost his children, wealth, health, and social standing, Job articulates the complete dismantling of his life and the violent eradication of his hope, likening it to a tree uprooted from the ground. This verse captures the depth of his anguish and his perception of divine agency in his suffering, setting the stage for his remarkable declaration of faith in a living Redeemer later in the same chapter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 19:10 is situated within Job's third cycle of speeches, specifically in his response to Bildad's second speech. This chapter marks a pivotal moment in the book, as Job moves from simply defending his innocence and lamenting his condition to making a profound theological assertion. Prior to this verse, Job has recounted the ways his friends, family, and even God Himself (as he perceives it) have turned against him, leaving him isolated and utterly broken ([Job 19:1-9](/job/19-1 "Job 19:1-9 - Job's Lament of Betrayal")). The verse immediately precedes his impassioned plea for pity ([Job 19:21-22](/job/19-21 "Job 19:21-22 - Job's Plea for Pity")) and, most significantly, his iconic declaration of faith in a living Redeemer who will vindicate him ([Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25-27 - Job's Declaration of the Redeemer")). Thus, Job 19:10 serves as a stark depiction of the lowest point of his despair, making his subsequent declaration of hope all the more powerful.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location generally understood to be outside of Israel, perhaps in Edom or northern Arabia. This setting, combined with the absence of Mosaic Law references, suggests an ancient patriarchal period, possibly contemporary with Abraham or earlier. In this culture, prosperity was often equated with divine favor, and suffering with divine punishment for sin. Job's friends operate within this retribution theology, believing Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of some hidden sin. For Job to attribute his suffering directly to God, as he does in this verse, is not only a raw expression of pain but also a direct challenge to the prevailing theological framework of his time. The imagery of an uprooted tree would have been immediately understood in an agrarian society as a symbol of complete and irreversible destruction, particularly for a long-lived and deeply rooted tree.
* **Key Themes:** Job 19:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **unjust suffering**, as Job, despite his piety, experiences inexplicable and overwhelming calamity. Secondly, it highlights the **human experience of lament and despair**, demonstrating the raw honesty with which one can express profound pain and even accuse God in the midst of affliction. This verse is a testament to the depth of human anguish when faced with the perceived abandonment of God. Thirdly, it touches upon the **sovereignty of God**, albeit from Job's limited and suffering perspective, as he attributes his destruction directly to the Almighty. Finally, this verse, by vividly depicting Job's complete loss of hope, serves as a crucial backdrop against which the later, radical declaration of faith in a Redeemer ([Job 19:25](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - Job's Redeemer")) shines as an extraordinary and unexpected beacon of hope, introducing the theme of **redemption and future vindication** even in the face of utter ruin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _hāras'_):** The Hebrew verb הָרַס (_hāras_) means "to break down," "to overthrow," "to demolish," or "to ruin." It implies a thorough and complete demolition, often used for tearing down walls or cities. In Job 19:10, its application to Job's person signifies not just damage but a comprehensive dismantling of his life, his standing, and his very being. It conveys a sense of irreversible ruin, leaving nothing intact.
* **Removed (Hebrew, _nātaš'_):** The Hebrew verb נָטַשׁ (_nātaš_) specifically means "to pluck up," "to pull down," or "to root out," particularly in the context of plants or trees. This choice of word is crucial as it perfectly complements the subsequent metaphor of the tree. It emphasizes a violent, forceful, and permanent extraction, suggesting that Job's hope was not merely diminished but violently torn from its very foundations, leaving no possibility of natural regrowth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone:"** Job attributes his suffering directly to God ("He"). The phrase "on every side" (מִסָּבִיב, _missāvîv_) emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of his destruction. Every aspect of his existence—his family, wealth, health, social standing, and emotional well-being—has been utterly dismantled. The declaration "and I am gone" (וָאֵלֵךְ, _wā’ēlēḵ_) signifies his sense of being utterly finished, extinguished, or having vanished, reflecting a profound existential despair where his former self and life no longer exist.
* **"and mine hope hath he removed like a tree."** This powerful **simile** vividly illustrates the obliteration of Job's future prospects and comfort. "Mine hope" (תִּקְוָתִי, _tiqwātî_) refers to his expectation of a better future, his confidence in restoration, or simply his reason to continue. The agent remains "He" (God), reinforcing Job's conviction that God is the direct cause of his agony. The comparison "like a tree" (כָּעֵץ, _kā‘ēṣ_) draws on the imagery of a tree violently uprooted. Just as an uprooted tree, especially one that is mature and deeply rooted, is completely severed from its source of life and cannot grow again in its former place, Job feels his hope has been irrevocably torn from its roots, leaving no possibility of natural recovery or regrowth.

#### Literary Devices
Job 19:10 is rich in literary devices that amplify Job's profound despair. The most prominent is **Simile**, where Job explicitly compares the removal of his hope to the uprooting of a tree ("like a tree"). This vivid imagery immediately conveys the violent, complete, and irreversible nature of his loss, drawing on a common, relatable experience of destruction in an agrarian society. The phrase "destroyed me on every side" functions as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of his suffering; while not literally destroyed on *every* single side, the expression conveys the overwhelming and inescapable totality of his ruin. Furthermore, the verse is a prime example of **Lament**, a literary form characterized by expressions of grief, sorrow, and often a direct complaint to God. Job's raw, unfiltered accusation against God ("He hath destroyed me," "mine hope hath he removed") is a hallmark of this genre, demonstrating the permissible honesty within biblical lament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 19:10, though a cry of despair, offers profound theological insights into the nature of suffering and the human relationship with God. It challenges simplistic retribution theology by portraying a righteous man experiencing inexplicable and total ruin, forcing a deeper reflection on divine justice and sovereignty. The verse validates the raw honesty of lament, affirming that it is permissible to express profound pain and even question God in the throes of affliction, without necessarily implying a lack of faith. It sets the stage for the Book of Job's ultimate revelation that God's ways are beyond human comprehension, and that true faith can persist even when all earthly foundations are shaken and hope seems utterly eradicated. This deep despair serves as a dark canvas upon which Job's subsequent declaration of a living Redeemer shines forth, highlighting that ultimate hope transcends immediate circumstances and points to a divine intervention.

* [Psalm 42:5](/psalm/42-5 "Psalm 42:5 - Hope in God Amidst Despair")
* [Lamentations 3:1-18](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-18 - The Prophet's Deep Despair")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3-5 - Suffering Produces Hope")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 19:10 resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced overwhelming loss and the crushing weight of despair. It provides a biblical precedent for expressing the raw, unfiltered agony of a soul that feels utterly demolished and abandoned, even by God. For those whose lives feel "destroyed on every side"—whether by illness, financial ruin, relational breakdown, or profound grief—this verse offers a powerful validation of their pain. It reminds us that lament is not a sign of weak faith but a legitimate, even necessary, expression of human suffering before a sovereign God. The image of hope "removed like a tree" speaks to the feeling of absolute finality, where all future prospects seem violently severed. In such moments, Job's journey encourages us to hold space for deep sorrow while also, remarkably, pointing towards a deeper, transcendent hope that can emerge even from the ashes of despair. It challenges us to cultivate empathy for those in the throes of suffering and to remember that true, enduring hope is not rooted in circumstances but ultimately in the character and promises of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "destroyed on every side" or that your "hope has been removed like a tree"?**
* **How does Job's raw honesty in attributing his suffering to God challenge or affirm your own understanding of lament and faith?**
* **What is the difference between earthly hope and the kind of transcendent hope that Job later declares in the same chapter?**
* **How can we, as individuals or communities, better minister to those who are experiencing such profound despair and loss of hope?**

### FAQ
**Does Job truly believe God is his enemy in this verse?**

Answer: In Job 19:10, Job certainly perceives God as the direct agent of his suffering and destruction. He explicitly states, "He hath destroyed me" and "mine hope hath he removed." From Job's limited perspective, God has turned against him, becoming an adversary rather than a protector. This is a common theme in his laments throughout the book (e.g., [Job 13:24](/job/13-24 "Job 13:24 - God as Adversary")). However, it's crucial to understand that Job's accusations stem from his profound pain and confusion, not from a settled theological conviction that God is inherently evil. His faith, though severely tested and expressed in raw, honest complaint, never fully abandons God. This tension between his perception of God's actions and his underlying trust is a central dynamic of the book, culminating in his declaration of a Redeemer who will ultimately vindicate him ([Job 19:25](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - Job's Declaration of the Redeemer")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 19:10, with its stark portrayal of utter destruction and the violent uprooting of hope, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job's experience of being "destroyed on every side" and having his hope "removed like a tree" foreshadows the suffering of the innocent Christ, who, though perfectly righteous, was "smitten by God, and afflicted" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant")). On the cross, Jesus fully experienced the ultimate abandonment and destruction, crying out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). The hope of humanity, like Job's, was seemingly "removed" as Christ died and was buried. However, unlike Job's temporary despair, Christ's death was a redemptive act, leading not to final destruction but to resurrection. The uprooted "tree" of hope in Job 19:10 is transformed into the "tree" of the cross, through which new life and eternal hope blossom. Through Christ's resurrection, the ultimate "uprooting" of death and sin occurred, ensuring that those who trust in Him will never have their hope permanently removed, but rather will experience a living hope that "does not put us to shame" ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Hope That Does Not Disappoint")) and an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope")). Thus, Job's lament of despair becomes a profound prophetic echo of the suffering and ultimate triumph of the Lamb of God.

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 24:20

The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.

Psalms 37:35

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

Psalms 37:36

Yet he passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Job 12:14

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

2 Corinthians 4:8

¶ [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 4:9

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Job 1:13

¶ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: