Job 30:17

KJV

My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.

KJV (with Strong's)

My bones {H6106} are pierced {H5365} in me in the night season {H3915}: and my sinews {H6207} take no rest {H7901}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At night pain pierces me to the bone, so that I never rest.

Berean Standard Bible

Night pierces my bones, and my gnawing pains never rest.

American Standard Version

In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And thepainsthat gnaw me take no rest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 30:17 is a profound and agonizing lament from Job, articulating the relentless and pervasive nature of his physical suffering. It vividly portrays an internal, bone-deep pain that offers no reprieve, especially during the night, a time typically reserved for rest and solace. This verse encapsulates the ceaseless torment that has consumed his very being, denying him any moment of peace amidst his profound trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 30:17 is situated within Job’s third and final monologue (chapters 29-31), a climactic section where he passionately defends his integrity, contrasts his former esteemed status with his present degradation, and laments his excruciating suffering. Having endured the loss of his family, wealth, and health, Job is afflicted with grievous boils from head to toe, as described in [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Satan Afflicts Job with Boils"). Chapter 29 recounts his past prosperity and the respect he commanded, while chapter 30 starkly contrasts this with his current state of social ostracism, mockery by those beneath him, and overwhelming physical torment. This particular verse deepens the portrayal of his physical agony, emphasizing its constant, unyielding nature, which even invades the hours meant for sleep. It builds upon earlier laments about sleeplessness and ceaseless pain found in passages like [Job 7:3-4](/job/7-3-4 "Job 7:3-4 - Job's Weary Nights").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a region likely east of Palestine, and portrays a patriarchal society where wealth, family, and health were seen as indicators of divine favor. Job's suffering, therefore, was not merely physical discomfort but a profound theological crisis, as his friends adhered to the conventional wisdom that suffering was a direct result of sin. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, night was a time for rest and recovery, and the inability to sleep due to pain or distress was a common motif for extreme suffering, signaling a complete disruption of normal life and a descent into despair. The description of pain "piercing bones" or affecting "sinews" speaks to a deep, internal, and systemic affliction, far beyond superficial wounds, reflecting a common understanding of severe illness impacting the very core of one's being. The "night season" (Hebrew: _layil_), as described in [Genesis 1:5](/genesis/1-5 "Genesis 1:5 - God Separates Light from Darkness"), was divinely appointed for rest, making its invasion by pain particularly poignant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Profound and Unrelenting Suffering**, depicting an agony that is not merely external but has penetrated to the very "bones" and "sinews," signifying total bodily invasion and a lack of any physical respite. This ceaseless torment, particularly "in the night season," highlights the theme of **Sleeplessness and Despair**, where even the natural rhythm of rest is denied, amplifying Job's sense of isolation and abandonment. The verse also subtly touches on the theme of **The Incomprehensibility of Suffering**, as Job's pain is not only intense but also seemingly without cause, challenging the traditional retribution theology espoused by his friends. His lament here is a raw expression of the human experience of pain that defies easy explanation, echoing his earlier cries in [Job 10:1-2](/job/10-1-2 "Job 10:1-2 - Job's Plea to God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bones (Hebrew, _ʻetsem'_):** Derived from a root meaning "strong," this word refers to the skeletal structure, the very framework of the body. By extension, it can signify the body as a whole, or figuratively, the core substance or self. In Job 30:17, the piercing of his "bones" indicates that the suffering has penetrated to the deepest, most foundational part of his physical being, affecting his very strength and essence. It is not a superficial ache but a deep, internal, and systemic affliction.
* **Pierced (Hebrew, _nâqar'_):** This primitive root means "to bore," "to penetrate," "to quarry," "to dig," "to pick out," or "to thrust out." In the context of Job's bones, it conveys an invasive and destructive action, as if his skeletal structure is being actively drilled into or gnawed away from within. This verb emphasizes the excruciating, penetrating quality of his pain, suggesting a continuous, internal assault that offers no relief.
* **Take no rest (Hebrew, _shâkab'_):** The root verb _shâkab_ means "to lie down," often for rest, sleep, or repose. The phrase "take no rest" (lit. "do not lie down") indicates a complete denial of the natural human need for physical and mental cessation from activity and pain. For Job, his "sinews" (referring to tendons, muscles, or even veins, implying the entire internal network of the body) are in a state of perpetual tension, throbbing, or aching, unable to find any moment of peace or relaxation, especially during the night, which is typically consecrated for rest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My bones are pierced in me in the night season":** This clause vividly describes the internal, penetrating nature of Job's suffering. The pain is not external or superficial but has reached the very core of his being, his bones, which are often symbolic of strength and the deepest part of one's physical self. The phrase "in the night season" is particularly poignant, as night is typically a time for rest and recuperation. For Job, however, the darkness brings no solace; instead, his agony intensifies, robbing him of sleep and highlighting the relentless and inescapable quality of his affliction.
* **"and my sinews take no rest":** This second clause further emphasizes the ceaseless and pervasive nature of Job's torment. Whether "sinews" refers to tendons, muscles, or blood vessels, the meaning is clear: every fiber of his being, every part of his body's internal network, is gripped by an unyielding ache. The pain is not intermittent but constant, a nagging, throbbing presence that never subsides, leaving him in a state of perpetual agony and utter exhaustion. This reinforces the idea that his suffering is all-encompassing, denying him even the basic human need for physical and mental repose.

#### Literary Devices
Job 30:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of Job's suffering. **Hyperbole** is evident in the declaration that his "bones are pierced," an exaggeration that vividly expresses the extreme, internal, and invasive nature of his pain, suggesting an agony so profound it feels as though his very skeletal structure is under attack. This creates striking **Imagery**, painting a picture of an invisible, internal assault that gnaws at his core. The phrase "in the night season" adds to this imagery, transforming the typical time of rest into a period of intensified torment, highlighting the cruel irony of his condition. Furthermore, the statement "my sinews take no rest" can be seen as a form of **Personification**, attributing the human quality of "taking no rest" to his physical tissues, emphasizing the relentless, active nature of the pain that seems to possess a will of its own, refusing to grant him any peace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 30:17 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of suffering as a profound human experience, often mysterious in its origin and relentless in its impact. It portrays a reality where pain is not merely physical but invades the very essence of a person, affecting their ability to rest, think, and find solace. Theologically, it challenges simplistic views of divine retribution, as Job's suffering is clearly not a direct consequence of his sin. Instead, it highlights the sovereignty of God even in the midst of inexplicable pain and the importance of lament as a legitimate form of prayer. Job's cry here is a testament to the fact that faith does not negate pain but provides a framework for expressing it honestly before God, even when answers are elusive. It anticipates the New Testament's portrayal of suffering as a pathway to deeper reliance on God and identification with Christ, reminding us that even in the deepest anguish, God hears the cries of His people.

* [Psalm 6:2-3](/psalm/6-2-3 "Psalm 6:2-3 - David's Plea for Healing and Rest")
* [Psalm 38:7-8](/psalm/38-7-8 "Psalm 38:7-8 - David's Physical and Spiritual Anguish")
* [2 Corinthians 1:8-9](/2_corinthians/1-8-9 "2 Corinthians 1:8-9 - Paul's Experience of Extreme Affliction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's raw and visceral description of his ceaseless pain in Job 30:17 offers a profound validation for anyone enduring chronic illness, mental anguish, or relentless trials that deny them peace and rest. It reminds us that the biblical narrative does not shy away from the harsh realities of human suffering, providing a sacred space for lament and honest expression of pain before God. In a world that often pressures us to "be strong" or "get over it," Job's words give voice to the deep, penetrating agony that can consume one's very being, particularly when the night, meant for solace, becomes a time of intensified torment. This verse calls us to cultivate profound empathy for those who suffer silently, to listen without judgment, and to offer comfort rooted in the understanding that God is present even in the darkest valleys. For believers, it encourages perseverance, reminding us that even when answers are scarce and relief seems distant, our hope is ultimately found in the sovereign God who hears our cries and promises future restoration, as Job himself declared in [Job 19:25](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - Job's Declaration of the Redeemer"). We are called to bring our unvarnished pain to Him, trusting in His compassion and enduring presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's description of his pain resonate with your own experiences of suffering, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual?**
* **What does Job's lament in this verse teach us about the importance of honesty and vulnerability in our prayers to God?**
* **How might Job's experience of relentless suffering "in the night season" inform our empathy and support for those who are enduring chronic pain or depression?**

### FAQ

**Does Job's suffering in this verse imply that God is distant or uncaring?**

Answer: Job 30:17, while a cry of intense suffering, does not necessarily imply that God is distant or uncaring. Rather, it reflects Job's *perception* and *experience* of God's hiddenness during his trial. The Book of Job as a whole wrestles with the mystery of suffering and God's sovereignty. While Job feels abandoned and even attacked by God at times (e.g., [Job 13:24](/job/13-24 "Job 13:24 - Job's Question to God")), the narrative ultimately affirms God's presence and wisdom, even when His ways are inscrutable to human understanding. Job's ability to continue lamenting and questioning God, rather than abandoning Him, suggests a deep, albeit strained, relationship. The verse highlights the *reality* of Job's pain, not necessarily a theological statement about God's character, which is ultimately revealed as just and compassionate, though mysterious, at the conclusion of the book (see [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Response to God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 30:17, with its agonizing depiction of relentless, bone-deep suffering that invades even the night, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Job's cry of being "pierced" and having "sinews take no rest" foreshadows the suffering of the Messiah, who would endure pain not merely on the surface but to the very core of His being. On the cross, Jesus experienced a suffering far beyond physical torment; He bore the weight of the world's sin, becoming "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")). His agony in Gethsemane, where His "soul is very sorrowful, even to death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), and His sleepless nights leading up to His crucifixion, reflect Job's inability to find rest. However, unlike Job, whose suffering was a test, Christ's suffering was redemptive, a voluntary sacrifice to conquer sin and death. Through His death and glorious resurrection, Christ has broken the power of suffering, offering ultimate rest and healing to all who believe. He is the one who truly knows our pain, having experienced it fully, and through His victory, He promises a future 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" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). He is our ultimate comfort and the source of true peace, even in the midst of our own "night seasons" of suffering, as He invites all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")).

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

Psalms 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Psalms 6:6

I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

Job 33:19

¶ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]:

Job 33:21

His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out.

Isaiah 38:13

I reckoned till morning, [that], as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.

Job 7:4

When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.

Psalms 22:2

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.