Job 7:18

KJV

And [that] thou shouldest visit him every morning, [and] try him every moment?

KJV (with Strong's)

And that thou shouldest visit {H6485} him every morning {H1242}, and try {H974} him every moment {H7281}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why examine them every morning and test them every moment?

Berean Standard Bible

that You attend to him every morning, and test him every moment?

American Standard Version

And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, And try him every moment?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 7:18 captures the profound anguish and exasperation of a man subjected to inexplicable suffering, expressed as a rhetorical question directed at God. Job questions the divine rationale for such continuous, meticulous attention to frail humanity, specifically himself, perceiving it as relentless scrutiny and testing. This verse is a poignant cry from a soul feeling hounded by overwhelming divine oversight, longing desperately for a moment of respite from his intense pain and the perceived unending divine examination.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 7:18 is embedded within Job's second major lament, a raw outpouring of despair that follows the initial, somewhat accusatory, speech of Eliphaz in [Job 4-5](/job/4 "Eliphaz's First Speech"). At this point, Job is at the absolute nadir of his suffering, having endured the catastrophic loss of his children, wealth, and health, and now grappling with debilitating physical ailments and the unhelpful, dogmatic counsel of his friends. Prior to this verse, Job articulates a desperate longing for death as the only release from his torment, comparing his life to that of a hired servant who yearns for the end of a grueling day, a sentiment powerfully conveyed in [Job 7:1-6](/job/7-1-6 "Job's Lament and Desire for Death"). His rhetorical questions in verses 17-19 are not expressions of praise or wonder, but rather a bitter, almost accusatory protest, questioning why God would expend such relentless energy on a fragile, suffering mortal like himself, subjecting him to constant, intrusive examination. He feels God is perpetually "visiting" and "trying" him, a sentiment that resonates with his later questioning of God's human-like perception in [Job 10:4-5](/job/10-4-5 "Job Questions God's Perspective").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job stands as a profound masterpiece of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, set in the land of Uz, a location generally believed to be in Edom or northern Arabia. It directly confronts the complex and enduring theological problem of suffering, particularly the suffering of the righteous, challenging the prevailing retribution theology of the era that posited a direct, causal link between sin and suffering. Job, introduced as "blameless and upright" and one who "feared God and shunned evil" in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job's Blameless Character"), embodies humanity's struggle to reconcile inexplicable pain with the justice, goodness, and omnipotence of God. The cultural backdrop includes a strong communal and individual emphasis on divine justice and a clear understanding of cause and effect in the moral universe, which Job's suffering dramatically disrupts. His lament is a stark departure from expected piety, yet it is presented as a legitimate, albeit agonizing, form of prayer and protest before God.
* **Key Themes:** Job 7:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. It powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Scrutiny and Oversight**, where God's constant attention is perceived by Job not as comforting care but as an overwhelming, burdensome, and punitive examination. This starkly contrasts with the typical biblical portrayal of God's watchful eye as benevolent and protective. The verse also underscores the profound dynamic of **Human Frailty vs. Divine Power**, emphasizing the stark contrast between the temporary, suffering nature of humanity and the all-powerful, ever-present nature of God. Job questions why such a mighty God would focus so intensely on a weak mortal, feeling like a target of divine attention rather than a cherished creation. Furthermore, it exemplifies the theme of **Lament and Complaint**, showcasing a raw, honest expression of profound distress and a struggle to reconcile suffering with theological understanding. This demonstrates that it is permissible to bring one's deepest pains and questions before God, even in complaint, as long as it is ultimately done within the framework of God's sovereignty, even if that sovereignty feels oppressive in the moment, as it does to Job here. Underlying Job's questions is a deep **Desire for Respite**, a yearning for a moment of peace and a break from the relentless pain and perceived divine examination, a longing that recurs throughout [Job's speeches](/job/3 "Job's First Lament").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** The Hebrew word פָּקַד (_pâqad_) is exceptionally rich in meaning, encompassing ideas of "to attend to," "to inspect," "to muster," "to appoint," "to hold accountable," or even "to punish." While it can denote benevolent care (as in God "visiting" His people with blessing or provision), in Job's context, it carries a heavy sense of burdensome inspection or accountability. Job perceives God as not merely observing but actively "checking up" on him, as if to find fault or to impose further suffering, rather than to offer comfort or relief. This "visitation" is experienced as an intrusive, critical examination.
* **Try (Hebrew, _bâchan'_):** The Hebrew word בָּחַן (_bâchan_) means "to test," "to examine," "to prove," or "to scrutinize." This term suggests a thorough, often intense, examination, typically with the purpose of revealing truth, quality, or loyalty. Job perceives himself as being under an unceasing, meticulous examination, as if God is constantly putting him through a crucible, not for refinement (a later biblical understanding of trials), but for an unending, painful assessment from which he cannot escape. It implies a rigorous, almost forensic, divine investigation into his very being.
* **Every morning / Every moment (Hebrew, _bôqer'_ / _regaʻ'_):** These phrases serve as powerful intensifiers, emphasizing the unrelenting and continuous nature of this divine scrutiny from Job's perspective. "Every morning" (בֹּקֶר, _bôqer'_, from H1242, meaning "dawn" or "morning") suggests a daily, fresh imposition of suffering or examination, implying that the torment renews with each new day. "Every moment" (רֶגַע, _regaʻ'_, from H7281, meaning "a wink," "instant," or "a very short space of time") conveys an incessant, inescapable vigilance, indicating that there is not even a fleeting instant of peace. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a man who feels perpetually hounded, never granted a moment of peace or privacy from God's overwhelming and oppressive attention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [that] thou shouldest visit him every morning":** This clause expresses Job's exasperation that God's attention to humanity, and specifically to him, is not only constant but also feels like a burdensome inspection that renews daily. The "visitation" here is perceived as a critical, perhaps even punitive, examination rather than a benevolent act of care. Job feels God is waking him up each day only to continue His relentless scrutiny of his suffering, offering no reprieve from the previous day's torment.
* **"[and] try him every moment?":** This second clause amplifies the first, extending the perceived divine scrutiny from daily to moment-by-moment. Job feels that God is not just observing him periodically but is actively and incessantly "testing" or "examining" him at every single instant, leaving no room for rest or escape. This intense, unceasing attention is not a source of comfort but of profound distress, as if Job is under constant, painful evaluation without end.

#### Literary Devices
Job 7:18 is rich in literary devices that amplify Job's profound distress and his desperate plea. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, where Job asks, "And [that] thou shouldest visit him every morning, [and] try him every moment?" This is not a genuine request for information but a powerful expression of exasperation, protest, and a deep sense of injustice. Job is essentially crying out, "Why do you bother with me so intensely, God, only to inflict more pain and scrutiny?" This question highlights his bewilderment and the perceived disproportionate attention from an omnipotent God to a frail human being. Furthermore, **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrases "every morning" and "every moment." These are not literal statements of God's continuous, minute-by-minute action but rather exaggerated expressions of Job's subjective experience of relentless, unending divine scrutiny and suffering. He feels hounded and never left alone, as if God's eye is perpetually fixed on his misery. Finally, there is an element of **Personification** in how God's actions are described. God is depicted as actively "visiting" and "trying" in a manner that mirrors human inspection or examination, lending a tangible, albeit oppressive, quality to Job's perception of divine interaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 7:18, while a raw cry of despair and perceived abandonment, inadvertently touches upon profound theological truths regarding God's intimate knowledge of humanity and His sovereign involvement in human life. While Job perceives this attention as burdensome and punitive, the broader biblical narrative affirms God's omnipresence and omniscience as foundational to His character, often presented as a source of comfort, security, and guidance for His people. The tension lies in Job's *interpretation* of God's actions through the lens of his overwhelming suffering and his limited understanding of the cosmic drama unfolding. Nevertheless, the verse forces us to confront the mystery of divine providence and the often incomprehensible nature of God's ways, especially in the crucible of affliction. It also implicitly raises questions about the purpose of suffering and testing, which other biblical texts address with a view towards refinement, spiritual growth, and the demonstration of genuine faith.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Intimate Knowledge")
* [1 Peter 1:6-7](/1_peter/1-6-7 "1 Peter 1:6-7 - The Purpose of Trials and Testing")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Perseverance through Trials for Maturity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 7:18 offers a profound validation of the human experience of lament and despair in the face of overwhelming suffering. It reminds us that it is natural, in times of intense pain and inexplicable hardship, to feel scrutinized, abandoned, or even targeted by circumstances that seem beyond our control, and to question God's methods or even His presence. Job's raw honesty in bringing his complaints directly to God, without pretense or polite religious language, serves as a powerful model for authentic faith. It teaches us that true faith does not require suppressing our doubts, anger, or pain, but rather, it involves bringing our whole, broken selves before a God who is big enough to handle our questions, our accusations, and our deepest sorrows. While God's ultimate purposes are always good and His ways are often beyond our immediate comprehension, as [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Higher Thoughts and Ways") reminds us, this verse encourages us to persevere in our faith even when God's actions feel burdensome or His silence deafening. It highlights the importance of trusting in His sovereignty and ultimate goodness, even when we cannot discern the immediate purpose of our trials, knowing that He is intimately aware of our every moment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when you feel God's presence or actions are burdensome rather than comforting in your life?**
* **In what ways does Job's raw honesty in lamenting his suffering encourage or challenge your own prayer life and how you express your emotions to God?**
* **How can we reconcile the feeling of being "tried every moment" with the biblical truth of God's loving care and compassion?**
* **What does Job 7:18 teach us about the importance of bringing our full spectrum of emotions, including anger, confusion, and despair, before God in prayer?**

### FAQ
**Does Job 7:18 imply that God is cruel or arbitrary in His dealings with humanity?**

Answer: Job 7:18 reflects Job's *perception* and *experience* of God's actions from his limited, suffering perspective, not necessarily a definitive theological statement about God's character. In his profound anguish, Job interprets God's constant attention as burdensome scrutiny and testing, almost as if God is toying with him or finding fault. The book of Job as a whole, however, ultimately affirms God's sovereignty, justice, and goodness, even if His ways are inscrutable to humanity ([Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job's Repentance and God's Sovereignty")). While Job feels hounded, the narrative reveals that God's ultimate purpose is not cruelty but a demonstration of Job's unwavering faith and a deeper revelation of Himself, leading Job to a more profound understanding of God's majesty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament in Job 7:18, with its cry against relentless divine scrutiny and testing, finds a profound and redemptive fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job felt God's "visitation" as an oppressive burden, Christ perfectly embodies God's visitation to humanity as one of grace, empathy, and ultimate salvation. The [Word became flesh and dwelt among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation"), not to scrutinize with condemnation, but to redeem and reconcile. Jesus, the Son of God, truly "visited" humanity, not "every morning" as a taskmaster to inflict pain, but perfectly, once for all, entering into the full scope of human suffering and temptation. He was "tried" and tested in every way, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")), enduring the ultimate divine scrutiny and wrath on the cross, not for His own sin, but for ours. Where Job longed for respite from God's gaze and the relentless trials, Christ willingly subjected Himself to it, bearing the full weight of the world's sin and the Father's turning away, so that we, His followers, might never be abandoned or merely "tested" for our own sake. His suffering transforms the meaning of divine "visitation" and "trying" from a source of dread to a wellspring of empathy, deliverance, and eternal rest, offering true peace to those who are weary and burdened ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). In Christ, God's "visitation" is no longer a source of fear but an invitation to intimate communion and abundant life.

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

Isaiah 38:12

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.

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.

1 Peter 1:7

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Jeremiah 9:7

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

Genesis 22:1

¶ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am].

Isaiah 26:14

[They are] dead, they shall not live; [they are] deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

Job 14:3

And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?