Job 7:5

KJV

My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.

KJV (with Strong's)

My flesh {H1320} is clothed {H3847} with worms {H7415} and clods {H1487} of dust {H6083}; my skin {H5785} is broken {H7280}, and become loathsome {H3988}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My flesh is clothed with worms and dirt, my skin forms scabs that ooze pus.

Berean Standard Bible

My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.

American Standard Version

My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; My skin closeth up, and breaketh out afresh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 7:5 offers a profoundly visceral depiction of Job's extreme physical and emotional deterioration, as he continues his raw lament before God and his friends. This verse vividly portrays the advanced state of his debilitating illness, emphasizing the putrefaction of his body and the deep sense of self-loathing and social abhorrence it has engendered within him. It stands as a stark testament to the depths of human suffering and the fragility of the physical form.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Job's first extended lament (Job 6-7), a direct and desperate response to the initial, unhelpful "comfort" offered by his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Having been afflicted with grievous boils from head to foot [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Satan Afflicts Job"), Job expresses profound weariness with life, articulating a desire for death as the only escape from his unbearable pain [Job 7:1-4](/job/7-1 "Job 7:1-4 - Job's Weariness and Desire for Death"). His physical condition has become utterly repulsive, not only to himself but also to those around him, reinforcing his isolation and despair. This lament highlights the raw, unfiltered anguish of a righteous man grappling with inexplicable suffering, a central theme explored throughout the entire [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, severe skin diseases were often viewed with great fear and were frequently associated with divine displeasure or ritual impurity, leading to social ostracism. While Job's specific affliction is not identified as "leprosy" (a broad term for various skin conditions in the Bible), his description of "worms" (likely maggots or larvae associated with decaying flesh) and "clods of dust" (suggesting a connection to the grave and the earth to which all return) paints a picture of extreme, advanced decay. His act of sitting in ashes [Job 2:8](/job/2-8 "Job 2:8 - Job Sits in Ashes") was a common sign of mourning and abject humiliation, further exacerbating his physical discomfort and symbolic connection to the dust of mortality. This context underscores the profound physical and social isolation Job endured.
* **Key Themes:** Job 7:5 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book. Firstly, it graphically illustrates the theme of **profound physical suffering and decay**, challenging the simplistic retribution theology of Job's friends who believed such suffering was a direct consequence of sin. Secondly, it highlights **existential despair and self-loathing**, as Job's physical state leads to a deep psychological burden of feeling "loathsome" to himself and others. Thirdly, it underscores the **fragility and mortality of human life**, echoing the biblical truth that humanity is formed from dust and to dust will return [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - Return to Dust"). Finally, it exemplifies the **legitimacy of lament**, providing a biblical model for expressing raw, unfiltered anguish and questioning in the face of incomprehensible pain.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Worms (Hebrew, _rimmah'_):** This term (רִמָּה) consistently refers to maggots or the larvae of insects, often associated with the decay of a corpse or putrefying flesh. Its use here is not merely a poetic flourish but a graphic, almost literal, description of the advanced state of Job's skin condition, suggesting festering sores that have become infested. It underscores the horrific, repulsive nature of his physical deterioration, evoking images of death and corruption even while he is still alive.
* **Clods of dust (Hebrew, _gishmei aphar'_):** The phrase (גִּשְׁמֵי עָפָר) literally translates to "clods of earth" or "lumps of dust." This imagery serves multiple purposes: it could refer to the literal dirt and ashes Job sat in, which adhered to his festering sores; it powerfully symbolizes his abject, lowly state, reduced to the very dust from which humanity was formed; and it foreshadows his impending return to the grave, emphasizing his mortality and the process of physical decay.
* **Loathsome (Hebrew, _ma'as'_):** Derived from the root (מָאַס), this word means "to reject," "to despise," or "to abhor." When Job says his skin has "become loathsome," he is expressing not only that it is physically repulsive to others but, more poignantly, that he himself finds it abhorrent. This conveys a profound sense of self-rejection and the psychological torment of his physical condition, contributing to his deep isolation and despair.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My flesh is clothed with worms":** This clause presents a horrifying and vivid metaphor, suggesting that Job's skin is not merely affected by disease but is literally covered or infested with living organisms associated with decay. It paints a picture of advanced putrefaction, likely referring to the open, festering sores that have become maggot-ridden, a truly repulsive and agonizing state.
* **"and clods of dust":** This phrase extends the imagery of decay and lowliness. It implies that his diseased skin is caked with dirt, ashes, or perhaps the dried, crusty exudations from his sores, resembling lumps of earth. This further emphasizes his abject physical state and his profound connection to the dust of mortality, signifying his near-death condition.
* **"my skin is broken":** This describes the physical manifestation of his illness—his skin is not intact but ruptured, cracked, and perhaps covered in open wounds, lesions, or scabs. This "brokenness" is the direct cause of the putrefaction and the subsequent "loathsomeness."
* **"and become loathsome":** This final clause articulates the devastating psychological and social impact of his physical condition. It signifies that his appearance has become utterly repulsive, not only to those around him, leading to social rejection, but also, crucially, to himself, resulting in profound self-disgust and despair.

#### Literary Devices
Job 7:5 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the depth of Job's suffering. The phrase "My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust" is a powerful **metaphor**, where his diseased skin is likened to garments, vividly illustrating how completely his body is enveloped by decay and filth. This imagery is intensely **visceral**, appealing directly to the senses of sight and even smell, making Job's suffering palpable to the reader. The description itself borders on **hyperbole**, an exaggeration used to emphasize the extreme and unbearable nature of his affliction, though given the context of ancient skin diseases, it may have been a stark reality. The raw, unfiltered expression of his physical state and the resulting self-loathing evoke strong **pathos**, eliciting profound sympathy and pity for Job's plight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 7:5 is a poignant reminder of the radical brokenness of the human condition in a fallen world. It challenges any simplistic notion that physical health is always a sign of divine favor or that suffering is solely a consequence of personal sin. Instead, it forces us to confront the reality of inexplicable pain, the fragility of the human body, and the existential despair that can accompany severe affliction. The verse underscores the biblical truth of human mortality and our ultimate return to dust, yet within Job's lament, it also highlights the profound human need for divine presence and understanding amidst suffering, even when that suffering feels like divine abandonment. It positions Job as a prototype of the suffering righteous, whose integrity is tested not by his sin, but by the very fabric of existence.

* [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - Return to Dust")
* [Psalm 22:6](/psalms/22-6 "Psalm 22:6 - I Am a Worm")
* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 7:5 compels us to confront the raw reality of suffering, particularly chronic physical affliction and disfigurement, and the profound psychological and social isolation that can accompany it. It teaches us the importance of radical empathy for those whose bodies are broken, whose appearances may be "loathsome" to themselves or others, and who grapple with a deep sense of vulnerability and despair. Job's lament, though agonizing, is a legitimate and biblically affirmed expression of anguish, reminding us that faith does not require a stoic denial of pain, but rather an honest pouring out of our hearts to God, even when we feel abandoned or misunderstood. This verse also serves as a poignant memento mori, prompting us to reflect on the transient nature of our physical bodies and to anchor our hope not in earthly perfection, but in that which transcends decay and death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw and graphic expression of suffering challenge our own comfort with lament and honest questioning in the face of pain?**
* **In what ways might we, or those we know, experience "loathsomeness" (whether physical, emotional, or spiritual) and how can we cultivate a compassionate and non-judgmental response?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the ultimate vulnerability of the human body, and how does this understanding shape our perspective on life, death, and enduring hope?**

### FAQ

**Is Job's description of "worms" literal maggots or a metaphor for decay?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _rimmah_ (רִמָּה) primarily refers to maggots or the larvae of insects, particularly those associated with decaying flesh or corpses. While it could be used metaphorically to convey extreme putrefaction, in the context of Job's severe skin affliction, it is highly likely a literal description of the infestation of his open sores. This graphic detail emphasizes the horrific and advanced state of his physical deterioration, making his suffering even more visceral and repulsive.

**How does Job's physical suffering relate to his spiritual state or sin?**

Answer: In the narrative of Job, his physical suffering is explicitly *not* a direct consequence of his sin. The book opens by establishing Job's righteousness [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Job's Righteousness") and attributes his affliction to a divine allowance for Satan to test his integrity [Job 1:12](/job/1-12 "Job 1:12 - Satan Tests Job"). This directly challenges the prevailing retribution theology of Job's friends, who insist that his suffering must be due to some hidden sin. Job's physical agony, as described in Job 7:5, serves as a powerful testament to the mystery of suffering and the fact that pain is not always a punitive measure from God, but can be part of a larger, inscrutable divine purpose.

**Why does Job use such graphic and self-abhorrent language to describe himself?**

Answer: Job's use of graphic and self-abhorrent language is a deliberate and honest expression of his profound despair and the overwhelming reality of his physical agony. He is not merely describing symptoms but conveying the full psychological and emotional impact of his disease. By stating his flesh is "clothed with worms and clods of dust" and that his skin has "become loathsome," Job is articulating the depth of his physical degradation, his social ostracism, and the crushing weight of self-disgust. This raw, unfiltered lament is a plea for God and his friends to understand the true extent of his suffering, to acknowledge that his pain is not merely physical but existential.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's agonizing cry in [Job 7:5](/job/7-5 "Job 7:5 - Job's Physical Suffering"), describing a body "clothed with worms and clods of dust," broken and loathsome, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job's suffering was a consequence of a fallen world and a test of his righteousness, Christ's suffering was a deliberate, sinless act of identification with humanity's deepest brokenness. The prophet Isaiah foretold a Messiah who would be "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain" [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected"), echoing Job's experience of being "loathsome." In the incarnation, the eternal Son of God willingly "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation"), embracing the very dust of our humanity. On the cross, Jesus' body was literally broken, enduring unimaginable physical agony and humiliation, becoming a spectacle of "loathsomeness" as He bore the full weight of the world's sin, making Him "who knew no sin to be sin for us" [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). He descended into death, returning to the dust, only to conquer it through His glorious resurrection, offering hope and ultimate healing for our broken, decaying bodies, transforming our "humble body to be like his glorious body" [Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Transformation of Our Bodies"). Thus, Job's lament foreshadows the One who would truly become "loathsome" for our sake, so that we might be made whole and righteous in Him.

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

Job 17:14

I have said to corruption, Thou [art] my father: to the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.

Isaiah 14:11

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, [and] the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

Job 2:7

¶ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Job 2:8

And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

Isaiah 1:6

From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Acts 12:23

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Job 9:31

Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.