Job 7:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

When I lie down {H7901}, I say {H559}, When shall I arise {H6965}, and the night {H6153} be gone {H4059}? and I am full {H7646} of tossings to and fro {H5076} unto the dawning of the day {H5399}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When I lie down, I ask, 'When can I get up?'But the night is long, and I keep tossing to and fro until daybreak.

Berean Standard Bible

When I lie down I think: ‘When will I get up?’ But the night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 7:4 vividly articulates the profound and relentless suffering of Job, manifesting as agonizing sleeplessness and an overwhelming sense of despair. This verse powerfully portrays his physical and emotional torment, where the night, typically a time for rest, transforms into an endless cycle of "tossings to and fro," punctuated by a desperate longing for the dawn, symbolizing an end to his unbearable affliction. It encapsulates the depth of his anguish, where even the promise of a new day offers no immediate relief, only a yearning for its arrival, highlighting the pervasive nature of his misery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 7:4 is an integral part of Job's first extensive lament, spanning [Job 6-7](/job/6-7 "Job's First Lament and Despair"). This lament immediately follows the initial, somewhat comforting, but ultimately unhelpful, silence of his friends and Eliphaz's first speech in [Job 4-5](/job/4-5 "Eliphaz's First Speech"). Having endured the catastrophic loss of his children, possessions, and health, Job responds to Eliphaz's veiled accusations and the prevailing theological framework that assumes suffering is a direct consequence of sin. In this raw outpouring, Job moves beyond merely questioning God's justice to expressing the visceral reality of his daily existence. He describes his life as burdensome, fleeting, and devoid of hope, directly challenging the simplistic retribution theology espoused by his companions. This verse specifically contributes to the theme of Job's physical and mental deterioration, illustrating how his affliction invades even the most basic human need for rest, rendering his suffering inescapable. His cries here are not just complaints but a profound articulation of a soul in deep distress, echoing the despair found in other biblical laments, such as those within [the book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, sleep was often perceived as a divine gift, a period of respite, and sometimes even a conduit for dreams and divine communication. For Job, a righteous man afflicted by a mysterious and debilitating illness (likely severe boils, as described in [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job's Affliction")), the inability to find rest was not merely an inconvenience but a profound disruption of natural order and a potent symbol of his complete loss of peace. The "night" in ancient cultures, devoid of artificial light, was a time of deep darkness, often associated with vulnerability, fear, and the unknown. For Job, this literal darkness of night is compounded by the metaphorical darkness of his suffering, making the hours stretch endlessly. His yearning for "dawn" reflects a universal human desire for the breaking of light, which traditionally signifies renewal, hope, and the dissipation of the terrors of the night. His experience underscores the severity of his disease, which was so painful and debilitating that it prevented even the most fundamental comfort of sleep.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Job. Foremost is the **intensity and pervasiveness of human suffering**, demonstrating how physical pain can utterly consume an individual, robbing them of basic human comforts like sleep. Job's "tossings to and fro" serve as a vivid illustration of the relentless, inescapable nature of his affliction, both physically and emotionally. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **despair and the longing for an end to misery**. Job's repeated question, "When shall I arise, and the night be gone?" is not merely a complaint about sleeplessness but a desperate cry for deliverance from his entire predicament, a yearning for the "dawn" of relief and resolution. This longing for an end to suffering is a recurring motif in the laments of the Bible, though often contrasted with the hope for joy in the morning, as seen in [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Last for a Night, but Joy Comes in the Morning"). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **time as an antagonist**. For Job, time does not heal or offer solace; instead, each passing night prolongs his agony, making the hours feel like an eternity, thereby emphasizing the relentless grip of his pain and the absence of any immediate divine intervention or comfort.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **full (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** This term (H7646) means "to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)." In Job 7:4, it is used to describe Job being "full" of tossings to and fro. This conveys an overwhelming, almost suffocating, sense of being completely consumed by his restless agony. It's not merely that he experiences some tossing, but that he is saturated, filled to the brim, with this torment, indicating its pervasive and inescapable nature.
* **tossings to and fro (Hebrew, _nâdud'_):** This word (H5076), a passive participle, literally means "properly, tossed; abstractly, a rolling (on the bed)." It vividly conveys a sense of restless turning, agitation, or being tossed about. In this context, it powerfully illustrates Job's physical inability to find a comfortable or still position due to his pain, reflecting both his external physical agony and his internal turmoil. It paints a picture of constant, agonizing movement without relief.
* **dawning of the day (Hebrew, _nesheph'_):** This term (H5399) refers to "dusk" or "twilight," but also specifically "dawning of the day (morning)." While literally referring to the transition from night to day, "dawning of the day" here carries significant metaphorical weight. It symbolizes the longed-for end of suffering, the breaking of light after a period of intense darkness. For Job, it represents a desperate hope for deliverance from his current reality, a yearning for relief that seems perpetually out of reach.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone?":** This clause immediately establishes Job's desperate state at the onset of night. The act of "lying down" should precede rest, but for Job, it initiates a period of renewed anguish. His rhetorical question, "When shall I arise, and the night be gone?", expresses an intense, almost unbearable longing for the night to pass. It's a cry for the literal dawn, but more profoundly, a yearning for the end of his suffering, which the night symbolizes. This question highlights his utter exhaustion and the relentless grip of his pain.
* **"and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.":** This second clause describes the agonizing reality of Job's nights. The phrase "full of tossings to and fro" vividly depicts his physical restlessness, unable to find comfort or stillness due to his severe boils and internal distress. This constant, involuntary movement persists "unto the dawning of the day," emphasizing the prolonged and unyielding nature of his torment. The arrival of dawn, rather than bringing immediate relief, only marks the end of one period of suffering and the beginning of another, equally painful day.

#### Literary Devices
Job 7:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of Job's suffering. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of Job's restless nights through phrases like "tossings to and fro," which allows the reader to almost feel his physical discomfort and agitation. The **Rhetorical Question**, "When shall I arise, and the night be gone?", underscores Job's desperate yearning for relief, not expecting an answer but rather expressing the intensity of his anguish and the perceived endlessness of his suffering. **Metaphor** is also at play, where "night" represents not just the literal hours of darkness but the entire oppressive period of Job's affliction, and "dawn" symbolizes the longed-for relief or end to his misery. The verse also utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of Job's experience; while a night is a finite period, his description makes it feel interminable, stretching out "unto the dawning of the day" as if it were an eternity of torment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 7:4 resonates deeply with broader biblical themes of human suffering, lament, and the often-mysterious nature of God's sovereignty in the face of pain. Job's raw, unvarnished expression of his agony validates the human experience of profound distress, demonstrating that it is permissible, even necessary, to voice one's deepest anguish to God. His sleeplessness and longing for dawn echo the universal human cry for deliverance from affliction, a cry frequently heard throughout the Psalms. Theologically, it challenges simplistic views of divine justice, as Job's suffering is not directly linked to his sin, forcing a deeper exploration of God's ways beyond human comprehension. This verse reminds us that even the righteous can experience immense, inexplicable suffering, and that God is present even in the darkest nights of the soul, though His presence may not always bring immediate relief.

* [Psalm 6:6](/psalms/6-6 "Psalm 6:6 - David's Lament and Sleeplessness")
* [Psalm 77:4](/psalms/77-4 "Psalm 77:4 - Asaph's Restless Night")
* [Lamentations 3:1-20](/lamentations/3-1-20 "Lamentations 3:1-20 - Jeremiah's Lament and Hope")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's agonizing sleeplessness in Job 7:4 offers a profound validation for those experiencing intense physical or emotional suffering today. It affirms that it is not only acceptable but human to feel overwhelmed, restless, and desperate for an end to pain. This verse encourages us to bring our raw, unedited laments before God, just as Job did, without fear of judgment. It fosters deep empathy for those who cannot find rest due to illness, grief, anxiety, or spiritual distress, reminding us to approach them with compassion rather than simplistic answers. Furthermore, Job's longing for the "dawning of the day" speaks to a universal human hope for relief and renewal, even when that hope seems distant. It invites us to hold onto the promise of light breaking through darkness, trusting that even in our most restless nights, God is aware of our "tossings to and fro" and hears our cries for deliverance, even if the answer is not immediate. It calls us to endure with a faith that acknowledges the pain while still looking for the dawn.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw expression of pain validate your own experiences of suffering or sleeplessness?**
* **In what ways do you find yourself "tossing to and fro" in your own life, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually?**
* **What does "the dawning of the day" symbolize for you in your current circumstances, and how do you long for its arrival?**
* **How can Job's lament encourage you to be more honest and vulnerable in your prayers to God, even when expressing despair?**

### FAQ
**Is it acceptable to express such deep despair and complaint to God, as Job does?**

Answer: Absolutely. Job's laments, including his agonizing cry in [Job 7:4](/job/7-4 "Job 7:4 - Job's Sleepless Anguish"), are a powerful testament to the biblical tradition of honest, unvarnished prayer. The Psalms are replete with similar expressions of despair, anger, and questioning directed at God (e.g., [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")). The Bible consistently portrays a God who is big enough to handle our raw emotions and deepest questions. Expressing despair is not a sign of lack of faith, but often a genuine wrestling with faith in the midst of suffering, leading to a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. It acknowledges the reality of pain while still engaging with the Divine, trusting that He hears and cares for His suffering children.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's agonizing sleeplessness and desperate longing for the "dawning of the day" find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Job's suffering, though intense, was ultimately a finite human experience, yet it foreshadows the infinite suffering of Christ, who truly bore the weight of the world's sin. Jesus, too, experienced nights of profound anguish, most notably in the Garden of Gethsemane, where His soul was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), and He prayed so intensely that His sweat was like drops of blood ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")). On the cross, Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), experiencing a spiritual darkness far deeper than Job's physical torment. Yet, unlike Job's longing for a mere earthly dawn, Jesus' suffering culminated in the ultimate "dawning of the day" – His resurrection. His triumph over death and sin on the third day ([1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Resurrection")) is the true and final answer to all human "tossings to and fro," offering ultimate rest, healing, and the promise of eternal life for all who believe ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). Through Christ, the relentless night of sin and suffering is conquered by the eternal light of God's grace, ushering in a new creation where there will be no more night or pain ([Revelation 21:4](/rev/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain")).

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

Deuteronomy 28:67

In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

Job 7:13

When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

Job 7:14

Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

Job 17:12

They change the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.

Psalms 77:4

Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

Psalms 109:23

I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.

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.