Job 19:17

KJV

My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's [sake] of mine own body.

KJV (with Strong's)

My breath {H7307} is strange {H2114} to my wife {H802}, though I intreated {H2589} for the children's {H1121} sake of mine own body {H990}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"My wife can't stand my breath, I am loathsome to my own family.

Berean Standard Bible

My breath is repulsive to my wife, and I am loathsome to my own family.

American Standard Version

My breath is strange to my wife, And my supplication to the children of mine own mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 19:17 offers a profoundly poignant illustration of Job's comprehensive suffering, revealing that even the most intimate of human bonds—his marital relationship—has been shattered. Having endured the catastrophic loss of his children, wealth, and health, Job now faces the ultimate personal abandonment: his wife finds his very presence, symbolized by his breath, utterly repulsive. This verse powerfully underscores the depth of his desolation, highlighting the bitter irony that despite his past devotion as a father, he is now utterly forsaken by the one person who should have offered solace and unwavering support.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 19 is a climactic and emotionally charged lament within Job's third cycle of responses to his friends' unhelpful accusations. Following Bildad's harsh and unfeeling words, Job articulates his profound conviction that God Himself has afflicted him, dismantling his life and reputation. This verse is strategically positioned after Job details God's direct assault upon him, which has alienated him from his community, friends, and even his servants (as seen in [Job 19:6-12](/job/19-6-12 "Job 19:6-12 - God's Affliction and Isolation of Job") and [Job 19:13-16](/job/19-13-16 "Job 19:13-16 - Job's Friends and Servants Turn Away")). The breakdown of his marital relationship in [Job 19:17](/job/19-17 "Job 19:17 - Job's Wife Finds Him Repulsive") represents the final, most intimate layer of his comprehensive abandonment, setting the stage for his magnificent and climactic declaration of faith in a living Redeemer later in the chapter, a profound theological pivot point in the book (see [Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25-27 "Job 19:25-27 - Job's Declaration of a Redeemer")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern society, the family unit and lineage were paramount, and the marital bond was considered sacred, providing essential support, continuity, and social standing. Severe illness, particularly debilitating skin diseases like Job's (often associated with ritual impurity and divine judgment), frequently led to social ostracism and isolation. Job's wife, though she initially endured the loss of their children alongside him, had already shown signs of profound despair and spiritual brokenness by urging him to "curse God and die" (as recorded in [Job 2:9](/job/2-9 "Job 2:9 - Job's Wife's Counsel to Curse God")). Her repulsion here is not merely a personal failing but reflects the extreme social and physical degradation that Job's suffering entailed, making him an outcast even within his own home. This highlights the profound cultural shame and isolation associated with such afflictions, where even the closest relationships could not withstand the pressure.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job, amplifying the intensity of his trial. It vividly illustrates the theme of **profound isolation and abandonment**, showcasing Job stripped of every human comfort, even the solace of his spouse. It underscores the theme of **physical and emotional deterioration**, as Job's illness has rendered him physically repulsive, compounding his already immense emotional and spiritual pain. Furthermore, it highlights the **injustice of suffering**, as Job, a man of exemplary piety and familial devotion, is subjected to such comprehensive desolation, despite his past faithfulness and diligent care, particularly as a father who "intreated for the children's sake of mine own body." This deep personal betrayal intensifies the theological question of why the righteous suffer, pushing Job to seek ultimate vindication and understanding beyond the realm of human comprehension or earthly relationships.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **breath (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** H7307. While literally referring to the air expelled from his lungs, in this context, "breath" carries a deeper resonance. Derived from a root meaning "wind" or "exhalation," it signifies Job's very physical presence and essence, now tainted and made foul by his debilitating disease. It implies that his illness has so ravaged his body that even the most basic and intimate exchange—the shared air of proximity—has become unbearable for his wife, emphasizing the depth of his physical decay and the resulting repulsion.
* **strange (Hebrew, _zûwr'_):** H2114. A primitive root meaning "to turn aside," "to be a foreigner," "strange," or "profane." This word implies more than just unfamiliarity; it conveys a sense of being alien, foreign, repulsive, or even hostile. It suggests that Job's breath, and by extension his entire being, has become something utterly distasteful and actively rejected by his wife. It speaks to a profound emotional and physical distance, transforming intimacy into aversion and highlighting his complete ostracization.
* **intreated (Hebrew, _channôwth'_):** H2589. Derived from the root חָנַן (chanan) meaning "to show favor" or "to be gracious" (in the sense of prayer or supplication), this word describes Job's past actions as a devoted father. It points to his earnest prayers, intercessions, or perhaps his diligent care and offerings for his children, as described in [Job 1:5](/job/1-5 "Job 1:5 - Job's Offerings for His Children"). This past act of gracious, loving devotion stands in stark, painful contrast to his wife's current lack of grace and outright repulsion towards him, intensifying the sense of injustice and abandonment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My breath is strange to my wife":** This clause paints a vivid and agonizing picture of Job's physical and relational degradation. His severe illness, likely a disfiguring and foul-smelling skin disease, has made his very presence unbearable to his wife. "Breath" here symbolizes the closest physical proximity and shared life, the intimacy of a marital bond. Its becoming "strange" signifies a complete breakdown of this intimacy, transforming affection into revulsion and leaving Job utterly isolated even from his closest companion. It is a deeply personal and humiliating aspect of his comprehensive suffering, stripping him of even the most basic human dignity within his own home.
* **"though I intreated for the children's [sake] of mine own body":** This second clause introduces a profound layer of irony and pathos. Job recalls his past devotion and care as a father, specifically his earnest prayers and intercessions for his children (e.g., [Job 1:5](/job/1-5 "Job 1:5 - Job's Offerings for His Children"))—children they both lost in a single, horrific event. This shared tragedy and his past loving actions should have forged an unbreakable bond of mutual support. Instead, his wife's current repulsion highlights the bitter contrast between his past faithfulness and her present abandonment, underscoring the incomprehensible depth of his affliction and the tragic failure of human solidarity in the face of overwhelming suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Job 19:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of Job's anguish and the comprehensive nature of his suffering. **Irony** is central, as Job's past devotion and diligent care for his children stand in stark contrast to his wife's current repulsion and abandonment, making her rejection even more poignant and unjust. The phrase "My breath is strange" utilizes **synecdoche**, where "breath" represents Job's entire diseased and repulsive physical presence, encapsulating the comprehensive nature of his physical decay and the resulting social and relational alienation. This statement also carries a strong element of **pathos**, designed to evoke deep pity and sympathy for Job's utterly desolate state, highlighting his complete isolation. Furthermore, the extreme nature of his wife's revulsion can be seen as a form of **hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and total isolation Job experiences, even from the one person who should have remained closest and most loyal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse speaks to the devastating impact of suffering on human relationships, even the most sacred ones. Theologically, it challenges our assumptions about human loyalty and the limits of empathy when confronted with extreme adversity. Job's experience underscores the sobering reality that even the righteous can face comprehensive desolation, where all earthly comforts and relationships fail. It implicitly points to a profound human need for a faithfulness that transcends mortal frailty, a divine steadfastness that remains even when all others abandon. This deep abandonment prepares the ground for Job's subsequent declaration of hope in a divine Redeemer, suggesting that ultimate solace and vindication must come from beyond the brokenness and limitations of human connection.

* [Psalm 38:11](/psalms/38-11 "Psalm 38:11 - Friends and Kinsmen Stand Afar Off")
* [Psalm 27:10](/psalms/27-10 "Psalm 27:10 - Father and Mother Forsake Me")
* [Lamentations 1:2](/lamentations/1-2 "Lamentations 1:2 - Lovers and Friends Betray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's profound isolation in this verse serves as a stark reminder of the isolating nature of suffering and challenges us to re-examine our responses to those in deep distress. When someone's condition, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, becomes difficult or unpleasant, true compassion calls us to look beyond superficial discomfort and extend grace, even when it is costly. This verse also highlights the inherent limits of human support; while vital, even the closest relationships can falter under immense pressure. This sobering reality should drive us to cultivate a deeper, more resilient faith in God, who alone remains faithful even when all human comfort and companionship fail. Job's perseverance, despite this crushing blow, encourages us to seek ultimate solace and understanding in the divine, fostering a hope that transcends earthly abandonment and finds its anchor in the unchanging character of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's experience challenge our understanding of compassion towards those who are physically or emotionally difficult to be near due to their prolonged suffering?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to withdraw from others who are suffering profoundly, and how can we counter this impulse with genuine empathy, self-sacrifice, and unwavering support?**
* **When human support systems, even the most intimate ones, fail, where do we ultimately turn for comfort, hope, and unwavering faithfulness, and how does this shape our reliance on God?**

### FAQ
**Why would Job's wife reject him, especially after losing their children together?**

Answer: Her rejection, as depicted in [Job 19:17](/job/19-17 "Job 19:17 - Job's Wife Finds Him Repulsive") and hinted at earlier in [Job 2:9](/job/2-9 "Job 2:9 - Job's Wife's Counsel to Curse God"), likely stems from her own overwhelming grief, despair, and inability to cope with the catastrophic losses they both endured. She may have perceived Job's prolonged suffering and physical decay as evidence of divine abandonment or judgment, leading to her own faith shattering and a profound sense of hopelessness. Her advice to "curse God and die" suggests a deep spiritual and emotional brokenness, making her incapable of offering the solace Job desperately needed. Her revulsion to his "strange breath" underscores the extreme physical manifestation of his disease, which would have been truly repulsive, further compounding her withdrawal and inability to remain in close proximity.

**What does "intreated for the children's sake" mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase refers to Job's past role as a devoted and righteous father. It likely alludes to his regular practice of offering sacrifices and prayers for his children, as described in [Job 1:5](/job/1-5 "Job 1:5 - Job's Offerings for His Children"), to sanctify them and atone for any potential sins they might have committed. This highlights Job's exemplary piety, his loving care for his family, and his proactive spiritual leadership within his household. The mention of this past devotion in stark contrast to his wife's current repulsion serves to underscore the bitter irony and profound injustice of his present abandonment. He was a man of integrity and deep familial care, yet he now faces utter rejection from his closest companion, despite their shared tragedy and his past faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's profound isolation and abandonment, even by his closest kin, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate suffering of Christ. While Job's "breath was strange" due to illness and human frailty, Jesus, the perfect Son of God, experienced a far deeper and more comprehensive abandonment, not because of His own sin or physical decay, but because of ours. He was "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain, like one from whom people hide their faces" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). Even His own disciples forsook Him and fled when He was arrested ([Matthew 26:56](/matthew/26-56 "Matthew 26:56 - Disciples Desert Jesus")), and in the ultimate act of desolation, He cried out from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), experiencing a spiritual alienation from the Father that Job could only dimly perceive. Unlike Job, who suffered for reasons unknown to him, Christ willingly endured this comprehensive abandonment and physical degradation to become the ultimate "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His suffering was not for His own sake but for ours, making Him the faithful High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")). In Christ, the ultimate abandoned one who conquered abandonment through His resurrection, we find our eternal solace, our never-failing companion, and the one who promises never to leave us nor forsake us ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You")).

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 17:1

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

Job 2:9

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Job 2:10

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.