Job 9:18

KJV

He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

KJV (with Strong's)

He will not suffer {H5414} me to take {H7725} my breath {H7307}, but filleth {H7646} me with bitterness {H4472}.

Complete Jewish Bible

to the point where I couldn't even breathe -with such bitterness he could fill me!

Berean Standard Bible

He does not let me catch my breath, but overwhelms me with bitterness.

American Standard Version

He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 9:18 vividly captures the profound anguish of Job, who perceives God as relentlessly afflicting him, denying him even the briefest moment of respite. This verse powerfully conveys Job's feeling of being suffocated by suffering, as if the Almighty Himself is actively preventing him from catching his breath, while simultaneously inundating his very being with a pervasive sense of grief, injustice, and despair. It is a desperate cry from a man utterly overwhelmed by inexplicable pain, attributing his torment directly to a powerful, unyielding divine hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 9:18 is situated within Job's second response to his friend Bildad, following Bildad's speech in [Job 8](/job/8 "Job 8 - Bildad's Speech on God's Justice"). In [Job 9](/job/9 "Job 9 - Job's Response to Bildad: God's Inscrutable Power"), Job acknowledges God's immense power, wisdom, and sovereignty, stating that no one can contend with Him or understand His ways ([Job 9:4](/job/9-4 "Job 9:4 - God's Wisdom and Power")). However, this acknowledgment is immediately juxtaposed with his deep despair and sense of being crushed by God's actions, even if he were righteous. He argues that God is so powerful and inscrutable that even if he were innocent, he could not successfully plead his case or justify himself before such a mighty and unapproachable deity ([Job 9:2-3](/job/9-2 "Job 9:2-3 - Job's Inability to Contend with God")). Job feels that God is actively pursuing him with affliction, leaving him no space to breathe or find relief, filling his very existence with sorrow, regardless of his perceived innocence. This verse encapsulates his feeling of being utterly overwhelmed by a divine force he cannot comprehend or resist.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, suffering was frequently interpreted through the lens of retribution theology, where prosperity was seen as a sign of divine favor and suffering as a consequence of sin. Job's friends staunchly adhere to this view, urging Job to confess his supposed transgressions. Job 9:18, however, challenges this simplistic framework by presenting the lament of a righteous man who experiences immense, inexplicable suffering. Culturally, lament was a recognized and legitimate form of expression to the divine, a way for individuals or communities to voice their pain, confusion, and even anger to their gods. Job's cry is deeply rooted in this tradition, allowing him to express his profound distress and perceived divine abandonment without necessarily abandoning his faith, though he is certainly struggling with the nature of God's justice. The imagery of being denied breath or filled with bitterness would have resonated deeply with a culture acutely aware of the fragility of life and the pervasive nature of grief in a harsh world.
* **Key Themes:** Job 9:18 powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Overwhelming Suffering**, portraying Job's physical pain and emotional distress as so intense that he feels suffocated, deprived of even the most basic comfort or relief. This extends beyond mere physical discomfort to a profound spiritual and existential agony. Secondly, the verse highlights Job's **Perceived Divine Oppression**, as he attributes his relentless suffering directly to God, believing God is actively denying him any moment of peace. This theme is central to Job's struggle, as he grapples with the apparent injustice of a sovereign God who seems to be his adversary rather than his protector ([Job 10:3](/job/10-3 "Job 10:3 - Job Questions God's Treatment")). Thirdly, the phrase "filleth me with bitterness" conveys a **Profound Despair and Bitterness**, indicating a deep, pervasive sense of grief, injustice, and sorrow that has consumed Job's spirit, reflecting the raw anguish of a soul in crisis ([Job 7:11](/job/7-11 "Job 7:11 - Job's Complaint")). Finally, the verse speaks to **Human Helplessness** in the face of what Job perceives as God's unstoppable power and unyielding will, leaving him feeling utterly powerless and unable to plead his case effectively or find any recourse ([Job 23:3-7](/job/23-3-7 "Job 23:3-7 - Job's Desire to Argue His Case Before God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suffer (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** The KJV translates "suffer" here, but the Hebrew verb נָתַן (_nâthan_) (H5414) primarily means "to give," "to grant," "to allow," or "to permit." Job's lament is therefore more potent: he feels God will not *grant* him a moment's relief, not even a single breath. It implies an active withholding of comfort and a deliberate imposition of distress by God, rather than a passive allowance of suffering. This heightens Job's sense of divine antagonism.
* **Breath (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** The Hebrew word רוּחַ (_rûwach_) (H7307) is rich in meaning, signifying "wind," "breath," or "spirit." In this context, "breath" refers to the very essence of life, vitality, and respite. To be denied breath is to be denied life itself, or at least any moment of ease or recovery. It evokes a sense of suffocation, both physical and existential, where the life-force itself is under attack.
* **Bitterness (Hebrew, _mamrôr'_):** The term מַמְרֹר (_mamrôr_) (H4472) refers to "a bitterness" or, figuratively, "calamity." When Job states he is "filled with bitterness," it indicates a deep, penetrating sorrow, distress, and resentment that permeates one's entire being. It suggests a pervasive, consuming grief that has poisoned Job's spirit, leaving no room for joy or peace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He will not suffer me to take my breath":** This clause expresses Job's profound sense of relentless oppression and suffocation. He feels that God is actively preventing him from experiencing any moment of ease, relief, or recovery. It's a vivid metaphor for being utterly overwhelmed, unable to find a single pause from his torment. The denial of "breath" (רוּחַ, _rûwach_) signifies a denial of life, vitality, and even the basic capacity for existence without pain. This is not merely a lack of physical air, but a spiritual and emotional suffocation, a complete absence of peace.
* **"but filleth me with bitterness":** This second clause describes the pervasive and consuming nature of Job's suffering. The "bitterness" (מַמְרֹר, _mamrôr_) is not just an emotion but is depicted as a substance that God, in Job's perception, is actively pouring into him, filling every part of his being. It signifies a deep, penetrating anguish, resentment, and a sense of injustice that has poisoned his spirit and deprived him of any joy or peace. It emphasizes the internal, spiritual dimension of his suffering, beyond the physical pain, suggesting a complete saturation of his inner world with sorrow.

#### Literary Devices
Job 9:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Job's intense suffering. **Hyperbole** is evident in Job's claim that he cannot "take his breath," an exaggeration that vividly portrays the overwhelming and suffocating nature of his distress, implying a complete lack of respite. The phrase "filleth me with bitterness" is a potent **Metaphor**, where bitterness, an abstract emotion, is treated as a tangible substance that can be poured into and fill a person. This metaphor effectively communicates the pervasive and consuming quality of his grief and despair, suggesting an internal saturation. Furthermore, the verse functions as a profound **Lament**, a common genre in biblical literature where an individual expresses deep sorrow, complaint, and petition to God in the midst of suffering. Job's words are a raw, unvarnished outpouring of his soul, characteristic of this literary form, demonstrating the depth of his spiritual and emotional crisis.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 9:18 stands as a poignant testament to the human experience of inexplicable suffering and the profound theological questions it raises. It confronts the tension between God's absolute sovereignty and human experience of pain, particularly when that pain seems undeserved. Job's lament highlights the mystery of suffering, demonstrating that even the righteous can endure immense hardship without clear explanation or immediate relief. His perception of God as an adversary, though ultimately incomplete, underscores the raw honesty permitted in biblical lament, where individuals are free to express their deepest confusion and despair to the Almighty. This verse invites us to grapple with the complexities of divine justice and the limits of human understanding in the face of God's vastness, recognizing that faith can coexist with profound questions and even accusations.

* [Psalm 42:7](/psalms/42-7 "Psalm 42:7 - Deep Calls to Deep")
* [Lamentations 3:19](/lamentations/3-19 "Lamentations 3:19 - Remembering Affliction and Bitterness")
* [Job 42:5](/job/42-5 "Job 42:5 - Job's Repentance and Understanding")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's cry in [Job 9:18](/job/9-18 "Job 9:18 - Job's Lament of Suffocation") resonates deeply with anyone who has faced prolonged, seemingly inexplicable suffering. It provides a powerful validation for the raw, honest expression of pain, even when directed at God. In moments of overwhelming adversity, it is natural to feel suffocated, despairing, and even to question God's actions or perceived absence. Job's lament reminds us that faith does not preclude anguish; rather, it often involves bringing our brokenness and confusion directly before God. His journey, while initially marked by bitterness, ultimately leads to a deeper, more profound understanding of God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when His ways remain beyond full human comprehension. This verse encourages us to be authentic in our suffering, trusting that God can handle our deepest laments and will, in His time and way, bring clarity, comfort, and renewed perspective. It challenges us to hold onto hope even when we feel overwhelmed, knowing that our cries are heard, and our pain is not unnoticed by the God who understands suffering intimately.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "suffocated" or "filled with bitterness," and how does Job's lament resonate with your experience?**
* **How does Job's honest expression of pain challenge your own understanding of how to approach God in suffering?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the tension between God's sovereignty and our human experience of injustice or hardship?**

### FAQ
**Does Job's bitter complaint in Job 9:18 mean he has lost his faith or is rebelling against God?**

Answer: Job's lament in [Job 9:18](/job/9-18 "Job 9:18 - Job's Cry of Bitterness") is an expression of profound despair and confusion, not necessarily a complete abandonment of faith. Throughout the book, even in his most bitter complaints, Job continues to address God, indicating a persistent, albeit struggling, relationship. His words are a raw, honest outpouring of a man grappling with immense, inexplicable suffering while still believing in God's existence and power. This is characteristic of biblical lament, a genre found extensively in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 13](/psalms/13 "Psalm 13 - A Psalm of Lament")) where the faithful express their pain, confusion, and even anger to God, often concluding with an act of trust or hope. Job's complaints are a desperate attempt to understand God's actions and plead his case, rather than a definitive rejection of God. Ultimately, the book reveals that Job's faith, though tested to its limits, endures, leading to a deeper encounter with God ([Job 42:5](/job/42-5 "Job 42:5 - Job's Vision of God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 9:18, with its raw depiction of undeserved suffering and perceived divine abandonment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, a righteous man, laments being denied "breath" and filled with "bitterness" by God, a powerful foreshadowing of the innocent suffering of the only truly righteous man, Jesus. On the cross, Jesus experienced the ultimate denial of "breath" as He gave up His spirit ([Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus' Last Words")), and He was truly "filled with bitterness" as He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and God's wrath, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Unlike Job, whose suffering was a mystery, Christ's suffering was a deliberate, redemptive act. He became sin for us, enduring the bitterness of divine judgment so that we might receive the sweetness of God's grace and the true "breath" of new life in the Spirit ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). In Christ, our laments are heard, our bitterness is transformed, and we find the ultimate rest and peace that Job so desperately sought but could not find in his own strength ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, absorbing all its bitterness into Himself and offering us eternal life ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 7:19

How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

Lamentations 3:15

He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

Psalms 88:7

Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted [me] with all thy waves. Selah.

Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Job 27:2

[As] God liveth, [who] hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, [who] hath vexed my soul;

Lamentations 3:18

And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:

Lamentations 3:19

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.