Job 9:17

For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

For he breaketh {H7779} me with a tempest {H8183}, and multiplieth {H7235} my wounds {H6482} without cause {H2600}.

He could break me with a storm; he could multiply my wounds for no reason,

For He would crush me with a tempest and multiply my wounds without cause.

For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause.

Commentary

Commentary on Job 9:17 KJV

Job 9:17 is a poignant expression of Job's profound anguish and his perception of God's seemingly arbitrary power. In this verse, Job laments, "For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause." It is part of his response to Bildad, where Job grapples with the overwhelming might and inscrutable justice of God, contrasting it with his own suffering and perceived innocence.

Context

This verse is situated within Job's second discourse (chapters 9-10), following Bildad's harsh accusation that Job's suffering must be due to his sin. Job acknowledges God's immense power and wisdom (Job 9:4), but he simultaneously expresses his inability to contend with such a mighty and incomprehensible being. He feels utterly crushed and unjustly afflicted, despite his righteousness. The book of Job, a masterpiece of wisdom literature, explores the complex theological question of suffering, particularly when it afflicts the righteous.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: Job perceives God as an unstoppable force, likened to a destructive "tempest" (Hebrew: suphah), which sweeps away all in its path. This highlights God's absolute control over creation and human destiny, even in ways that appear harsh or incomprehensible to humans. The imagery of a tempest is often associated with God's powerful presence and judgment throughout the Old Testament, as seen in Psalm 29:3.
  • Unjust Suffering: A central theme is Job's unwavering conviction that his suffering is "without cause" (Hebrew: chinnam), meaning undeserved or gratuitous. He feels that God is inflicting blows and multiplying his "wounds" (Hebrew: p'tsa'ai, referring to physical blows or injuries) despite his integrity. This challenges the traditional Deuteronomic theology of his friends, which posited a direct correlation between sin and suffering.
  • Human Helplessness: Job's lament underscores the profound sense of helplessness a person feels when confronted with what they perceive as divine injustice. He struggles to understand God's ways and articulate his defense, feeling overwhelmed by God's majesty and power.

Linguistic Insights

The word "tempest" (ืกื•ึผืคึธื” - suphah) denotes a violent, sweeping storm, often used in the Bible to describe divine manifestations or judgments. It vividly portrays the force with which Job feels God is acting against him. The phrase "without cause" (ื—ึดื ึธึผื - chinnam) is crucial, as it emphasizes Job's assertion of his blamelessness. This same word is used by Satan in Job 1:9 when he challenges Job's devotion, suggesting Job serves God "for nought" or "without cause" (i.e., for material gain). Job's use of it here turns the accusation back, asserting that God is afflicting him "without cause."

Reflection and Practical Application

Job 9:17 resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced unexplainable suffering or felt overwhelmed by life's adversities.

  • Validating Pain: Job's raw honesty validates the human experience of questioning God during times of intense pain. It reminds us that it is permissible to express our struggles and confusion to God, even when we don't understand His purposes.
  • Trust Amidst Turmoil: While Job expresses his confusion, the book ultimately leads to a deeper trust in God's wisdom, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension. This verse is a snapshot of Job's struggle, which eventually culminates in a profound encounter with God's majesty in Job 38:1 onwards, where God speaks out of a whirlwind.
  • The Mystery of Suffering: Job 9:17 contributes to the Bible's exploration of the mystery of suffering. It challenges simplistic explanations and invites believers to hold onto faith even when God's actions seem contrary to human expectations of justice.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 16:14 (5 votes)

    He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.

  • Job 2:3 (4 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

  • Job 34:6 (3 votes)

    Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression.

  • Ezekiel 13:13 (2 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend [it] with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in [my] fury to consume [it].

  • Isaiah 28:17 (2 votes)

    Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

  • Job 2:7 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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 16:17 (2 votes)

    ยถ Not for [any] injustice in mine hands: also my prayer [is] pure.