Job 7:15

Job 7:15 (KJV): "So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life."

In this profoundly poignant verse, Job expresses the absolute depth of his despair, revealing a soul so tormented that it actively prefers death, even a violent one, over the continuation of his agonizing life. It is a raw cry from the very brink of human endurance.

Context

This verse is part of Job's first extensive lament, where he directly addresses God after his initial suffering and the beginning of the theological debate with his three friends. Having lost his children, wealth, and health, Job is overwhelmed by inexplicable pain. His friends have offered little comfort, largely attributing his suffering to hidden sin, which Job steadfastly denies. In Job chapter 7, Job pours out his heart to God, describing his weariness, restlessness, and the feeling of being relentlessly pursued by divine affliction. This particular statement underscores the utter hopelessness he feels, where life itself has become an unbearable burden, leading him to wish for an end to his torment.

Key Themes

• Extreme Despair and Anguish: Job's words reveal a soul pushed to its breaking point. His preference for death signifies a complete loss of hope in his current circumstances and an overwhelming desire for relief from his suffering.
• Preference for Death Over Life: The explicit statement that his soul "chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life" highlights the intensity of his torment. For Job, any form of death, even a quick and violent one, is seen as preferable to the prolonged agony he endures. This echoes his earlier lament in Job chapter 3, where he cursed the day of his birth.
• Human Vulnerability and Limits of Endurance: Job's cry serves as a powerful testament to the fragile nature of human endurance in the face of intense, prolonged suffering. It demonstrates how physical and emotional pain can drive an individual to the very edge of their capacity to cope.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "strangling" translates the Hebrew term khanak (חנק), which literally means "to choke," "to throttle," or "to strangle." This specific choice of death is highly significant. It implies a swift, decisive, and perhaps self-inflicted end to his torment, in stark contrast to the drawn-out, agonizing pain he is enduring from his physical ailments. The use of khanak powerfully conveys Job's desperate yearning for immediate cessation of pain, even if it comes through a violent means, rather than continuing to suffer a slow, agonizing decline.

Practical Application

Job 7:15 offers profound insights for contemporary understanding of suffering and faith:

• Empathy for the Suffering: This verse calls us to deep empathy for those experiencing extreme physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. It reminds us that suffering can lead individuals to depths of despair where life feels unbearable, fostering compassion rather than judgment.
• Understanding Mental Anguish: Job's raw expression resonates with the experiences of individuals grappling with severe depression, chronic illness, overwhelming grief, or suicidal ideation. It provides a biblical acknowledgment of such profound mental anguish and the desperate yearning for relief.
• The Reality of Human Struggle: The book of Job, particularly through verses like this, affirms the reality of human struggle and the permission to voice deep lament and honest questions before God, even when faith is being severely tested. It shows that even righteous individuals can experience profound despair.