Job 19:15

KJV

They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.

KJV (with Strong's)

They that dwell {H1481} in mine house {H1004}, and my maids {H519}, count {H2803} me for a stranger {H2114}: I am an alien {H5237} in their sight {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those living in my house consider me a stranger; my slave-girls too - in their view I'm a foreigner.

Berean Standard Bible

My guests and maidservants count me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight.

American Standard Version

They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 19:15 captures the profound depths of Job's suffering, revealing the agonizing experience of complete social and familial isolation. Having already lost his wealth, children, and health, Job now laments that even those within his own household—his servants and maids—treat him as an outsider and a stranger. This verse underscores the comprehensive nature of his affliction, highlighting not only physical and material losses but also the devastating psychological and emotional pain of being utterly forsaken by those who should be closest to him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Job's third and most impassioned monologue (Job 19:1-29), delivered in direct response to Bildad's harsh accusations. Following Job's lament about God's apparent hostility and abandonment (Job 19:6-12) and the rejection by his closest friends and family (Job 19:13-14), verse 15 intensifies the sense of betrayal by detailing the contempt shown by his own domestic staff. This internal betrayal from his household further solidifies the comprehensive nature of his affliction, leaving him utterly alone and misunderstood, setting the stage for his climactic declaration of faith in a living Redeemer in [Job 19:25](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - Job's Declaration of the Redeemer"). The progression from divine abandonment to external rejection by friends, and finally to internal betrayal by servants, paints a picture of escalating and all-encompassing suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies, a large household, including numerous servants and maids, was a significant indicator of wealth, status, and social standing. Servants were typically considered part of the extended family unit, often bound by loyalty and dependence on the master. For a man of Job's former stature, described as "the greatest of all the people of the East" in [Job 1:3](/job/1-3 "Job 1:3 - Job's Greatness"), the respectful deference of his household was a given. Their contemptuous treatment of him as a "stranger" or "alien" was not merely a personal slight but a public humiliation, stripping him of his dignity and authority within his own domain. This reversal of roles—where those dependent on him now scorn him—would have been culturally shocking and deeply dishonoring, amplifying Job's profound sense of loss and injustice.
* **Key Themes:** Job 19:15 powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Job. It highlights the theme of **profound isolation and betrayal**, demonstrating how suffering can lead to the complete breakdown of social bonds, even within one's most intimate circle. This verse also underscores the **loss of dignity and status**, as Job, once a revered patriarch, is reduced to an outcast in his own home, stripped of all respect by those under his authority. Furthermore, it deepens the exploration of the **nature of suffering**, revealing that affliction is not merely physical or material but profoundly psychological, emotional, and social. The betrayal from one's closest circle, as depicted here, is presented as one of the most devastating aspects of Job's comprehensive ordeal, showcasing the multifaceted assault on his being, echoing the lament found in [Psalm 69:8](/psalms/69-8 "Psalm 69:8 - Alien to My Brothers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stranger (Hebrew, _nōḵrî'_):** This term, derived from the root נָכַר (nāḵar) meaning "to recognize, acknowledge, be acquainted with," often refers to a foreigner, an alien, or someone not belonging to the family or community by birth. In this context, it signifies a person who is unknown, unrecognized, or treated as an outsider. For Job, to be counted as a _nōḵrî_ by his own household implies a complete denial of his identity, authority, and belonging within his own home, a place where he should be most familiar and secure.
* **Alien (Hebrew, _mûzār'_):** This is a Hophal participle of the verb זוּר (zûr), meaning "to be strange, estranged, alienated." The Hophal stem indicates a passive state, suggesting that Job has been *made* strange or alienated. While _nōḵrî_ denotes an inherent foreignness, _mûzār_ emphasizes the active process of being estranged or treated as an outcast, particularly from one's own kin or familiar surroundings. This term carries a stronger connotation of being deliberately shunned or made an object of aversion, underscoring the shocking and unnatural nature of the rejection Job experiences from those who "dwell in mine house."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They that dwell in mine house, and my maids":** This phrase specifically identifies the perpetrators of Job's social ostracization. "They that dwell in mine house" likely refers to male servants, while "my maids" specifies female servants. These are individuals who live under Job's roof, are dependent on his provision, and are, by societal norms, expected to show him loyalty and respect. The emphasis on "mine house" highlights the profound irony and tragedy of the betrayal originating from within his most intimate domestic sphere.
* **"count me for a stranger":** This clause describes the active judgment and perception of Job by his servants. They "count" or consider him as a _nōḵrî_, someone unknown, an outsider, or a foreigner. This is not merely a feeling but a deliberate assessment, implying a complete disregard for his identity as their master and benefactor. It signifies a profound breakdown of the master-servant relationship, rooted in a contemptuous dismissal of his rightful place.
* **"I am an alien in their sight":** This final clause reiterates and intensifies the previous statement, using the term _mûzār_ (alien/estranged). It emphasizes the subjective experience of Job—he is not just _counted_ as a stranger, but he _is_ an alien in their perception. The phrase "in their sight" underscores the public and undeniable nature of their contempt. He is not merely a guest but someone actively estranged and made unwelcome, highlighting the depth of his isolation and the unnaturalness of his situation.

#### Literary Devices
Job 19:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of Job's suffering. **Irony** is central, as those who are literally "in his house" and dependent on him treat him as if he belongs there least of all. This inversion of expected loyalty amplifies the sense of betrayal. The use of two distinct but related terms, "stranger" (_nōḵrî_) and "alien" (_mûzār_), creates a form of **parallelism** that builds intensity, moving from a general sense of not belonging to a more specific and painful state of being actively estranged. The verse also utilizes **pathos**, evoking deep pity for Job's plight by exposing the cruel and dehumanizing nature of his abandonment. This internal betrayal serves as a **metaphor** for Job's complete loss of social standing and identity, where his very being is rendered unrecognizable even by those closest to him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 19:15 profoundly illustrates the multifaceted nature of suffering, extending beyond physical pain and material loss to encompass the devastating psychological and social dimensions. It highlights how affliction can strip an individual of their dignity, status, and even their sense of belonging within their own community and family. The betrayal from one's own household underscores the theme of comprehensive abandonment, forcing Job to confront the ultimate loneliness of his ordeal. Theologically, it raises questions about human cruelty, the limits of human loyalty, and the righteous individual's experience of being unjustly isolated, pointing to a suffering that transcends mere circumstance and delves into the very core of one's identity and relationships.

* [Psalm 38:11](/psalms/38-11 "Psalm 38:11 - Friends and Companions Stand Aloof")
* [Psalm 69:8](/psalms/69-8 "Psalm 69:8 - Alien to My Brothers")
* [Luke 18:32](/luke/18-32 "Luke 18:32 - Jesus' Prophecy of Rejection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's lament in verse 15 resonates deeply with the human experience of profound betrayal and isolation. It reminds us that suffering is not monolithic; it often includes the agonizing pain of being misunderstood, rejected, and even scorned by those from whom we expect comfort and loyalty. This verse challenges us to cultivate radical empathy, recognizing the unseen layers of emotional and social pain that individuals endure during times of crisis. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of human relationships and the devastating impact of contempt, especially when it comes from within one's closest circle. In our own lives, and in our interactions with others, we are called to be vigilant against the subtle ways we might "count" others as strangers or aliens through our indifference, judgment, or lack of compassion, particularly when they are most vulnerable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's experience of betrayal by his own household challenge your understanding of suffering?**
* **In what ways might we inadvertently make others feel like "strangers" or "aliens" in our own communities or families?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of loyalty and compassion, especially towards those who are vulnerable or suffering?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper sense of empathy for the multifaceted pain that individuals experience?**

### FAQ
**Why is the betrayal by Job's household so significant, given his other losses?**

Answer: The betrayal by Job's household is particularly significant because it represents the complete breakdown of his social and familial support system, extending the reach of his suffering into his most intimate domain. While the loss of wealth and children was devastating, and the scorn of his friends painful, the contempt from his own servants—those who lived under his roof and were dependent on him—was a profound humiliation. In ancient cultures, a master's authority and dignity were intrinsically linked to the respect shown by his household. Their treatment of him as a "stranger" or "alien" stripped him of his last vestiges of status and belonging, making his isolation absolute and his suffering comprehensive. This internal betrayal underscores the psychological and emotional depth of his affliction, demonstrating that suffering is not only physical or material but also deeply relational and existential.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's experience of being counted as a stranger and an alien by those within his own house finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the life and passion of Jesus. Just as Job was betrayed by his intimate circle, so too was Christ rejected by His own people, the very nation He came to redeem, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected of Men"). He came "unto his own, and his own received him not" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Even among His closest disciples, Jesus experienced profound abandonment and betrayal: Judas, one of the twelve, sold Him for thirty pieces of silver ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14 "Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas's Betrayal")), and Peter, His ardent follower, denied Him three times ([Luke 22:54-62](/luke/22-54 "Luke 22:54-62 - Peter's Denial")). The Son of Man had "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has No Place to Lay His Head")), embodying the ultimate alien and stranger in a world that refused to acknowledge its Creator. Jesus' suffering, therefore, encompassed not only physical torment but also the agonizing pain of being utterly forsaken and treated as an outcast by humanity, mirroring Job's lament but ultimately transcending it as a redemptive act that secured our belonging in God's eternal household.

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 31:31

If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

Job 31:32

The stranger did not lodge in the street: [but] I opened my doors to the traveller.

Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.