Job 7:21

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I [shall] not [be].

And why dost thou not pardon {H5375} my transgression {H6588}, and take away {H5674} mine iniquity {H5771}? for now shall I sleep {H7901} in the dust {H6083}; and thou shalt seek me in the morning {H7836}, but I shall not be.

Why don't you pardon my offense and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust; you will seek me, but I will be gone."

Why do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For soon I will lie down in the dust; You will seek me, but I will be no more.”

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust; And thou wilt seek me diligently, but I shall not be.

Job 7:21 is a poignant cry from Job, steeped in despair and a desperate longing for an end to his immense suffering. After enduring unimaginable physical pain and the loss of his family and possessions, Job perceives God as his adversary rather than his comforter. In this verse, he makes a direct, almost challenging, plea to the Almighty.

Context

This verse comes from Job's first extensive response to his friends, particularly after Eliphaz's counsel. Job has already expressed his desire for death and complained bitterly about his life (Job 3:1-3). He feels relentlessly pursued by God, as if God is actively punishing him for some unknown sin. His lament in chapter 7 details his sleepless nights, agonizing days, and the fleeting nature of his life. Against this backdrop of intense personal torment, Job questions why God doesn't simply forgive him and end his misery, predicting his imminent death.

Key Themes

  • A Plea for Forgiveness and Relief: Job, despite maintaining his righteousness, still appeals to God to "pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity." This reveals a deep-seated human desire for reconciliation with the divine, even amidst protest and perceived injustice. He believes his suffering is linked to some sin, known or unknown, and seeks its removal as a path to peace.
  • Imminent Mortality: The phrase "for now shall I sleep in the dust" starkly emphasizes Job's conviction that death is very near. This awareness of his own mortality underscores the urgency of his plea. The grave, or "dust," is seen as the final resting place.
  • The Finality of Earthly Life: Job's mournful declaration, "thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be," expresses his belief in the definitive end of his earthly existence upon death. He anticipates that even God will search for him among the living in vain. This highlights his limited understanding of life beyond the grave at this point, contrasting with his later profound declaration of faith in a Redeemer (Job 19:25-27).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "transgression" is pesha' (פֶּשַׁע), often implying a rebellious act or a breach of covenant, a deliberate breaking of trust. "Iniquity" is 'avon (עָוֹן), which refers to twistedness, perversity, or the guilt associated with sin. Job uses both terms, indicating a comprehensive desire for the removal of any wrongdoing, whether active rebellion or inherent moral defect. The imagery of "sleep in the dust" is a common biblical euphemism for death, signifying the cessation of earthly life and return to the earth from which humanity was formed (Genesis 3:19).

Practical Application

Job's raw honesty in Job 7:21 resonates deeply with human experience. It reminds us that it is natural to question God and lament in times of severe suffering and despair. His plea for forgiveness, even when feeling unjustly afflicted, shows an underlying recognition of God's ultimate authority and power to pardon. While Job's understanding of the afterlife was limited, believers today have the profound hope of eternal life through Christ, where death is not the final word but a transition to a glorious presence with God (2 Corinthians 5:8). This verse encourages us to bring our deepest pains and questions to God, trusting in His compassion and sovereign plan, even when it is incomprehensible to us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.

  • Job 10:14

    ¶ If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

  • Isaiah 64:9

    Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people.

  • 1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:7

    Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

  • Lamentations 5:20

    Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, [and] forsake us so long time?

  • Lamentations 5:22

    But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

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