Job 7:20

KJV

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

KJV (with Strong's)

I have sinned {H2398}; what shall I do {H6466} unto thee, O thou preserver {H5341} of men {H120}? why hast thou set {H7760} me as a mark {H4645} against thee, so that I am a burden {H4853} to myself?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Suppose I do sin - how do I harm you, you scrutinizer of humanity? Why have you made me your target, so that I am a burden to you?

Berean Standard Bible

If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?

American Standard Version

If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark for thee, So that I am a burden to myself?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 7:20 captures the raw anguish of a man overwhelmed by inexplicable suffering, articulating a profound crisis of faith. In this desperate cry, Job simultaneously acknowledges his human sinfulness and challenges God's apparent shift from a benevolent "preserver of men" to a relentless adversary who has singled him out as a target, making his very existence an unbearable burden. This verse encapsulates Job's bewilderment at his afflictions, questioning divine justice while wrestling with his own unbearable self-loathing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 7:20 is embedded within Job's second major lament, a direct and impassioned response to the initial, unhelpful counsel offered by Eliphaz in [Job 4-5](/job/4 "Job 4-5 - Eliphaz's First Speech"). Following his initial response in [Job 6:1-30](/job/6 "Job 6 - Job's Lament and Defense"), where he expresses the overwhelming nature of his suffering and his desire for death, Job continues to articulate his profound despair and his perception of God as his tormentor. This verse specifically follows Job's vivid descriptions of his physical agony, sleepless nights, and the fleeting nature of human life, culminating in a direct accusation and plea to God. It highlights a pivot in Job's dialogue from lamenting his condition to directly challenging God's role in his suffering, setting the stage for the escalating theological debate that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job, while set in a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era, grapples with universal questions of suffering and divine justice that resonated deeply within ancient Near Eastern thought. In many ancient cultures, including early Israelite understanding, suffering was often directly correlated with sin, a concept vigorously promoted by Job's friends. Job's experience, however, challenges this simplistic retribution theology. His lament in [Job 7:20](/job/7-20 "Job 7:20 - Job's Anguished Cry") reflects a cultural expectation of divine protection and blessing for the righteous, which Job, despite his blamelessness, has clearly not received. His appeal to God as the "preserver of men" underscores a common understanding of divine providence, making his current plight a profound theological paradox within his cultural framework.
* **Key Themes:** Job 7:20 powerfully articulates several central themes of the book of Job. Firstly, it highlights **Profound Despair and Perceived Abandonment**, as Job feels utterly forsaken and actively targeted by God, a stark contrast to his earlier expressions of unwavering faith in [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Initial Response to Suffering"). Secondly, it introduces the complex theme of **Confession of Sin (Ambiguous)**. Job's declaration, "I have sinned," is not necessarily an admission of specific wrongdoing warranting his suffering, but rather a desperate attempt to find any logical explanation for his plight, or perhaps a general acknowledgment of universal human imperfection. Thirdly, the verse underscores the theme of **God as "Preserver of Men"**, emphasizing the paradox Job perceives: how can the God who typically watches over and guards humanity now seem to be actively afflicting him? Finally, the imagery of being "set as a mark against thee" vividly portrays Job's feeling of being **Targeted by God**, a divine adversary, leading to the crushing weight of being "a burden to myself," a profound expression of self-loathing and existential weariness that pervades much of [Job's lament](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's First Lament").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Preserver (Hebrew, _nōṣēr'_):** This term (נוֹצֵר) derives from a root meaning "to guard," "to keep," "to watch over," or "to preserve." When Job addresses God as "O thou preserver of men," he is appealing to God's widely recognized character as the one who sustains and protects humanity. The profound irony and source of Job's bewilderment lie in the perceived contradiction: the very God who is supposed to be his guardian has, in Job's experience, become his assailant. This highlights the chasm between Job's theological understanding of God's nature and his lived reality of intense suffering.
* **Mark (Hebrew, _miqdāʿ'_):** The word (מִקְדָּע) literally means "a target" or "a butt." The imagery here is stark and violent, suggesting that Job feels God has singled him out as an object for divine attack, like an archer aiming at a bullseye. This metaphor powerfully conveys Job's perception of God's active hostility and relentless pursuit of him, as if he is being used for divine sport or punishment, intensifying his sense of personal persecution and isolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee":** This opening clause encapsulates Job's desperate and ambiguous confession. It is not a confession of specific, egregious sin that would warrant his immense suffering, but rather a general acknowledgment of human imperfection, or perhaps a desperate, rhetorical attempt to identify *any* transgression that might explain God's actions. The subsequent rhetorical question, "what shall I do unto thee," expresses utter helplessness and confusion. Job is asking what action, penance, or appeasement could possibly satisfy a God who seems to be his relentless foe, highlighting his profound disorientation and lack of understanding regarding his plight.
* **"O thou preserver of men?":** This vocative is a direct address to God, appealing to His known character and function. Job uses this title to highlight the stark paradox of his situation. The God who is universally understood to be the guardian and sustainer of humanity has, in Job's experience, become a destructive force. This question is not merely an inquiry but a lament, expressing the deep theological tension between God's benevolent nature and Job's perceived experience of divine abandonment and hostility.
* **"why hast thou set me as a mark against thee":** This clause reveals the core of Job's accusation and bewilderment. The imagery of being "set as a mark" vividly portrays Job's feeling of being singled out, targeted, and relentlessly pursued by God. He perceives God as actively engaging in a hostile act against him, rather than remaining a distant or passive observer. This reflects Job's overwhelming sense of being under divine assault, stripped of his dignity and peace.
* **"so that I am a burden to myself?":** This final clause expresses the devastating psychological and existential impact of Job's suffering. The phrase conveys a profound sense of self-loathing, weariness, and the unbearable weight of his own existence. His suffering is so intense and pervasive that life itself has become an intolerable burden, leading him to wish for death. This highlights the depth of his despair and the complete erosion of his joy and purpose, making him a source of misery even to himself.

#### Literary Devices
Job 7:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey Job's profound despair and theological struggle. **Irony** is central, particularly in Job's address to God as the "preserver of men" even as he perceives God as his active tormentor. This stark contrast underscores the paradox of his suffering. **Rhetorical Questions** ("what shall I do unto thee?" and "why hast thou set me as a mark against thee?") are used not to elicit answers, but to express Job's utter helplessness, confusion, and desperate challenge to divine justice. The verse also utilizes a powerful **Metaphor** when Job states, "thou hast set me as a mark against thee," vividly portraying himself as a target for God's relentless assault. Finally, the phrase "so that I am a burden to myself" serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, expressing the overwhelming and unbearable nature of his suffering, where life itself has become an intolerable weight, leading to profound self-loathing and a desire for non-existence. The entire passage is a poignant example of **Lament**, a common biblical genre for expressing deep sorrow and complaint to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 7:20 stands as a poignant testament to the human experience of profound suffering and the struggle to reconcile it with a benevolent God. It delves into the mystery of divine justice, challenging simplistic notions of retribution and prompting deeper theological reflection on the nature of God's sovereignty and human suffering. Job's raw honesty in bringing his accusations and despair directly to God underscores the biblical precedent for authentic lament, demonstrating that faith is not the absence of doubt or anger, but the courage to bring even our most difficult questions before the Divine. This verse reminds us that God is big enough to handle our accusations and our pain, and that true relationship often involves wrestling with profound mysteries. It also foreshadows the later revelation in the book of Job that God's ways are beyond human comprehension, yet always rooted in His ultimate wisdom and power.

* [Psalm 13:1-2](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1-2 - David's Lament and Questioning")
* [Lamentations 3:1-20](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-20 - Jeremiah's Deep Suffering")
* [Psalm 77:7-9](/psalms/77-7 "Psalm 77:7-9 - Asaph's Questioning of God's Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 7:20 offers profound insights for those navigating seasons of inexplicable suffering or spiritual confusion. It validates the human experience of lament, reminding us that it is not only permissible but often necessary to voice our deepest pain, anger, and questions directly to God. Job's honesty, even in accusation, models a radical transparency in prayer, inviting us to bring our unfiltered emotions before the One who truly sees and understands. This verse challenges us to move beyond simplistic explanations for suffering and to embrace the mystery inherent in God's ways, trusting that even when He seems to be our adversary, His ultimate character as the "preserver of men" remains unchanged. It encourages us to persist in dialogue with God, even when we feel like a "burden to myself," knowing that our wrestling can ultimately lead to a deeper, albeit not fully comprehended, understanding of His sovereignty and love, as it eventually did for Job.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw honesty in lamenting his suffering resonate with your own experiences of pain or confusion?**
* **In what ways might we, like Job, sometimes misinterpret God's actions during times of trial, seeing Him as an adversary rather than a preserver?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of bringing our deepest questions and frustrations directly to God, even when we don't understand His ways?**

### FAQ

**Did Job truly believe he had sinned, or was he just saying it?**
Answer: Job's declaration, "I have sinned," in [Job 7:20](/job/7-20 "Job 7:20 - Job's Anguished Cry") is complex and open to interpretation. It's unlikely a confession of specific wrongdoing that would warrant his immense suffering, as both God and the narrator have already affirmed Job's blamelessness and uprightness ([Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Introduction to Job") and [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Praise of Job")). Instead, it's more likely a rhetorical statement born out of desperation. Job is grasping for any possible explanation for his plight, even if it means acknowledging a general human sinfulness or a hypothetical transgression he might have committed unknowingly. It could also be a desperate attempt to appease a seemingly hostile God, or a cynical remark reflecting his belief that God is treating him as if he were a great sinner, regardless of his actual innocence.

**How can God be a "preserver of men" if He allows such suffering?**
Answer: This is the central theological paradox that Job grapples with throughout the book, and [Job 7:20](/job/7-20 "Job 7:20 - Job's Anguished Cry") articulates it directly. From Job's limited human perspective, God's actions seem contradictory to His character as the "preserver." The book of Job ultimately does not provide a simple answer to the problem of suffering, but it does affirm God's absolute sovereignty and wisdom, which transcend human understanding ([Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job")). While God allows suffering, His ultimate purposes are often hidden, and His nature as a preserver and sustainer remains true, even when our experience contradicts our expectations. The New Testament further clarifies this by revealing that suffering can be redemptive, refining, and part of a larger divine plan for good ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All things work for good")).

**Is it acceptable to question God as Job does?**
Answer: Absolutely. The book of Job, and particularly [Job 7:20](/job/7-20 "Job 7:20 - Job's Anguished Cry"), provides a powerful biblical precedent for honest and even accusatory lament before God. Job's raw, unfiltered questions and complaints are not condemned; rather, God ultimately affirms Job's integrity and his willingness to speak truthfully about Him, even in his confusion ([Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God's Rebuke of Job's Friends")). The Bible encourages us to bring our whole selves, including our doubts, anger, and pain, into our relationship with God. This kind of authentic wrestling, rather than suppressing difficult emotions, can lead to a deeper and more resilient faith, as seen in Job's ultimate restoration and renewed understanding of God's majesty ([Job 42:5](/job/42-5 "Job 42:5 - Job's Renewed Vision of God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's anguished cry in [Job 7:20](/job/7-20 "Job 7:20 - Job's Anguished Cry") finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, an innocent man, felt targeted by God, a "mark" against Him, and a "burden to myself" due to inexplicable suffering. Yet, Jesus, the only truly innocent and blameless man ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")), willingly became the ultimate "mark" for humanity's sin. On the cross, He was "set as a mark" not for His own transgression, but to bear the judgment that was due to us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). In His cry of dereliction, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), Jesus experienced the profound abandonment that Job only perceived, becoming a "burden to Himself" and bearing the weight of the world's sin. Through His suffering, the true "Preserver of men" ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ as Sustainer of All Things")) absorbed the full curse of sin, offering redemption and eternal preservation to all who believe. Where Job wrestled with the mystery of suffering, Christ's cross provides the definitive answer, transforming the "mark" of judgment into the sign of ultimate love and salvation, so that we, who were truly burdened by sin, might find rest and life in Him ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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

Lamentations 3:12

He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

Job 3:24

For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

Job 7:11

Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 7:12

[Am] I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?

Psalms 36:6

Thy righteousness [is] like the great mountains; thy judgments [are] a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

Psalms 80:4

O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?

Job 33:9

I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me.