Job 7:7

KJV

¶ O remember that my life [is] wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

KJV (with Strong's)

O remember {H2142} that my life {H2416} is wind {H7307}: mine eye {H5869} shall no more {H7725} see {H7200} good {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Remember that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never again see good times.

Berean Standard Bible

Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

American Standard Version

Oh remember that my life is a breath: Mine eye shall no more see good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 7:7 captures Job's profound despair and the perceived transience of his suffering life. In a direct plea to God, Job likens his existence to a fleeting gust of wind, emphasizing its brevity and insubstantiality. He then declares his conviction that he will never again experience well-being, joy, or relief, cementing his sense of utter hopelessness in the face of relentless affliction and the perceived absence of divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 7:7 is situated within Job's second passionate lament (chapters 6-7), which immediately follows the initial, rather unhelpful, counsel from his friend Eliphaz (Job 4-5). Having absorbed the shock of his catastrophic losses and debilitating physical torment, Job pours out his soul to God, not in accusation, but in raw, unvarnished anguish and profound questioning. This lament is characterized by a deep longing for death as an escape from his unbearable suffering, as seen in his plea for God to crush him ([Job 6:8](/job/6-8 "Job 6:8-9 - Job's Desire for Death")), a sense of being relentlessly pursued and afflicted by God ([Job 7:12](/job/7-12 "Job 7:12-16 - Job's Plea to God to Leave Him Alone")), and a desperate plea for God to acknowledge his plight and grant him respite before his inevitable end. The immediate verses leading up to [Job 7:7](/job/7-7 "Job 7:7 - Job's Life as Wind") vividly describe Job's weariness, his sleepless nights, and the repulsive decay of his body ([Job 7:3](/job/7-3 "Job 7:3-6 - Job's Suffering and Fleeting Days")), setting the stage for his despairing declaration about the brevity of life and the absence of future good.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, suffering, especially of the magnitude Job experienced, was almost universally interpreted as a direct consequence of divine judgment for sin. Prosperity and health were seen as clear indicators of divine favor, while affliction suggested divine displeasure or punishment. Job's friends operate firmly within this "retribution theology," attempting to convince him to confess his supposed hidden sins as the cause of his calamities. Job's lament, therefore, is not just a personal cry but a profound challenge to this prevailing theological framework, as he insists on his innocence. His physical ailments, such as boils and worms ([Job 7:5](/job/7-5 "Job 7:5 - Job's Physical Affliction")), would have rendered him ritually unclean and socially ostracized, amplifying his isolation and despair. The concept of life as fleeting and ephemeral was common in ancient wisdom literature, but Job's application of it here is particularly poignant, reflecting a profound existential crisis rather than a detached philosophical observation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Job and broader biblical literature. Firstly, it underscores the **transience and fragility of human life**, a theme echoed throughout the wisdom literature (e.g., [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")). Job's comparison of his life to "wind" emphasizes its insubstantial, uncontrollable, and quickly vanishing nature, highlighting human mortality in the face of overwhelming suffering. Secondly, it expresses **profound despair and hopelessness**, as Job's declaration "mine eye shall no more see good" signifies his conviction that his suffering is terminal and that any prospect of joy, relief, or positive outcome in his earthly existence is gone. This theme of utter desolation is central to Job's laments (e.g., [Job 3:11](/job/3-11 "Job 3:11-16 - Job's Wish He Had Never Been Born")). Finally, it highlights **human vulnerability** to forces beyond one's control, whether physical ailment, the vagaries of life, or perceived divine judgment, challenging simplistic notions of justice and control over one's destiny.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **life (Hebrew, _chay'_):** The Hebrew word חַי (_chay_) signifies "life" in its broadest sense, encompassing existence, vitality, and the state of being alive. In Job's desperate plea, it refers to his very being, his existence, which he perceives as frail and ephemeral. The choice to describe his "life" as "wind" underscores his feeling that his existence is not only brief but also insubstantial, easily dissipated, and lacking any enduring quality or purpose in his current state of suffering.
* **wind (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** The Hebrew word רוּחַ (_rûwach_) is rich in meaning, encompassing "wind," "breath," and "spirit." In this context, its primary sense is "wind" or "a gust of wind," powerfully conveying the idea of something ephemeral, insubstantial, and quickly gone. Like a fleeting breeze, Job perceives his life as having no lasting substance or direction, easily dispersed and forgotten. This choice of word emphasizes the brevity and impermanence of human life, a common biblical motif (e.g., [Psalm 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalm 103:14 - God Remembers We Are Dust")).
* **see good (Hebrew, _râʼâh ṭôwb'_):** The phrase לִרְאוֹת טוֹב (_lir'ot tov_), literally "to see good," extends beyond mere physical sight. In Hebrew idiom, "to see good" means to experience well-being, prosperity, happiness, peace, or any form of positive outcome or relief from suffering. The root _râʼâh_ (H7200) means "to see" or "to perceive," while _ṭôwb_ (H2896) means "good" in the widest sense, encompassing pleasantness, welfare, and prosperity. Job is not merely stating that his physical vision is failing (though it might be); rather, he is declaring a profound conviction that he will never again encounter or enjoy any form of blessing, comfort, or joy in his remaining days. It is a declaration of complete and utter despair regarding his future earthly experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O remember that my life [is] wind":** Job addresses God directly, pleading with Him to acknowledge the fragile and fleeting nature of his life. The "O remember" (זְכָר־נָא, _zəḵār-nāʾ_) is a desperate plea for divine consideration and compassion, an appeal to God's memory and mercy. By likening his life to "wind" (_ruach_), Job conveys a sense of utter insignificance, vulnerability, and transience. He feels his life is slipping away, insubstantial and without control, and he implores God to consider this brevity as a reason for mercy or a swift end to his suffering.
* **"mine eye shall no more see good":** This is a stark declaration of Job's profound hopelessness. His "eye" here represents his entire being and his capacity to experience. The phrase "no more see good" signifies his conviction that he will never again experience well-being, happiness, prosperity, or any relief from his current affliction. It is a statement of absolute despair, indicating that he perceives his suffering as terminal and irreversible within his earthly existence. He sees no future prospect of joy or restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Job 7:7 is rich with literary techniques that amplify its emotional impact and theological weight. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Job directly compares his life to "wind." This comparison is not merely descriptive but deeply symbolic, conveying the ideas of transience, insubstantiality, and uncontrollable movement, effectively encapsulating Job's feeling of his life slipping away without purpose or control. Furthermore, the declaration "mine eye shall no more see good" functions as **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis. While Job is in deep despair, this statement expresses an absolute and total lack of future hope, an extreme sentiment that underscores the depth of his suffering and his conviction that his earthly experience will yield no further positive outcomes. The entire verse is also a quintessential example of **Lament**, a common genre in biblical literature where an individual expresses profound sorrow, suffering, and complaint to God, often accompanied by a plea for divine intervention or understanding, demonstrating the raw honesty permitted in prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 7:7 powerfully articulates the human experience of profound suffering and the existential dread that accompanies the perception of life's brevity and fragility. It confronts the theological problem of innocent suffering, as Job, despite his piety, endures unimaginable pain. His lament challenges simplistic retribution theology, forcing a deeper consideration of God's sovereignty and justice beyond human comprehension. The verse also highlights the pervasive biblical theme of human mortality and the fleeting nature of earthly existence, reminding us that our lives are ultimately in God's hands and that our time on earth is limited. While Job expresses profound despair, his very act of lamenting to God, rather than abandoning Him, underscores a persistent, albeit strained, relationship with the divine, setting the stage for the book's ultimate resolution where God's wisdom and sovereignty are affirmed beyond human understanding.

* [Psalm 39:4-5](/psalms/39-4-5 "Psalm 39:4-5 - Man's Life is a Breath")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life as a Vapor")
* [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's raw honesty in Job 7:7 offers profound insights for believers navigating their own seasons of suffering and despair. His lament validates the human experience of profound pain and the feeling of hopelessness, reminding us that it is permissible to express such deep anguish directly to God, even when we do not understand His ways or feel His presence. This verse encourages us to bring our authentic, unvarnished emotions before our Creator, rather than masking them with false piety or pretending to have answers we do not possess. Furthermore, Job's comparison of life to "wind" serves as a stark reminder of our mortality and the brevity of our time on earth. This perspective, while initially bleak, can paradoxically encourage us to live with greater purpose, to cherish the moments we have, and to invest in what is eternally significant, rather than being consumed by fleeting earthly concerns. While Job's despair is palpable, the broader narrative of the book ultimately points to God's ultimate goodness and sovereignty, even when human understanding fails, challenging us to hold onto faith in the unseen hand of God, even in our darkest moments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's raw expression of despair resonate with your own experiences of suffering or hopelessness?**
* **In what ways does likening life to "wind" challenge your perspective on time, purpose, and priorities?**
* **How can we balance acknowledging profound despair with maintaining hope in God's ultimate goodness and sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Does Job's lament in Job 7:7 mean he had lost all faith in God?**

Answer: While Job's words in [Job 7:7](/job/7-7 "Job 7:7 - Job's Life as Wind") express profound despair and a conviction that he will experience no more good in his earthly life, it does not signify a complete loss of faith in God. Rather, it represents an honest, agonizing struggle within his faith. Job continues to address God directly, even if his words are complaints or pleas for understanding. He is wrestling *with* God, not abandoning Him. His laments are a form of prayer, albeit one filled with anguish and questioning. Throughout the book, despite his suffering, Job maintains his integrity and eventually declares his enduring trust in God, even if God were to slay him ([Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him")). This verse is a testament to the permission to be utterly honest with God in our pain, even when our understanding is limited and our hope seems to vanish.

**How does Job's view of life as "wind" compare to other biblical descriptions of life's brevity?**

Answer: Job's comparison of his life to "wind" (_ruach_) in [Job 7:7](/job/7-7 "Job 7:7 - Job's Life as Wind") is a powerful and poignant metaphor for life's transience. This imagery aligns with numerous other biblical passages that emphasize the brevity and fragility of human existence. For instance, [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life") states that our years are quickly gone "like a sigh," and [Psalm 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalm 103:14 - God Remembers We Are Dust") reminds us that God "knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." The New Testament similarly describes life as "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" ([James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life as a Vapor")). The consistent message across Scripture is that human life is finite and fleeting, subject to decay and death. This perspective is not meant to induce despair, but to encourage wisdom, a focus on eternal matters, and a recognition of God's enduring nature in contrast to our own temporary existence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 7:7 expresses a deep, personal despair over a life perceived as fleeting and devoid of future good, the broader narrative of Scripture, culminating in Christ, offers a profound re-framing of this human experience. Jesus, the ultimate suffering servant, fully entered into the fragility and brevity of human life, experiencing rejection, betrayal, and immense physical and emotional pain, culminating in His death on the cross (e.g., [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")). 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")), echoes Job's own anguish and sense of abandonment, revealing the depths of human suffering that even the Son of God embraced. However, unlike Job's despairing declaration that his "eye shall no more see good," Christ's suffering was not the end. His resurrection from the dead decisively conquered death and despair, ushering in an eternal "good" that transcends all earthly suffering ([Romans 8:18](/romans/8-18 "Romans 8:18 - Present Suffering and Future Glory")). Through Christ, the "wind-like" brevity of our earthly lives is transformed; for those in Him, death is not the end of "seeing good" but the gateway to an eternal inheritance and a glorious future where "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore" ([Revelation 21:4](/rev/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")). Thus, Job's lament, while deeply human, ultimately points to the One who suffered, died, and rose again to secure an enduring hope and an eternal good for all who believe, fulfilling the deepest longings of the human heart beyond the limitations of this fleeting life ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the 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

James 4:14

Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Psalms 78:39

For he remembered that they [were but] flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

Jeremiah 15:15

¶ O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

Psalms 89:47

Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

Job 10:21

Before I go [whence] I shall not return, [even] to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;

Job 10:22

A land of darkness, as darkness [itself; and] of the shadow of death, without any order, and [where] the light [is] as darkness.

Psalms 89:50

Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; [how] I do bear in my bosom [the reproach of] all the mighty people;