Job 30:17

My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.

My bones {H6106} are pierced {H5365} in me in the night season {H3915}: and my sinews {H6207} take no rest {H7901}.

At night pain pierces me to the bone, so that I never rest.

Night pierces my bones, and my gnawing pains never rest.

In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And thepainsthat gnaw me take no rest.

Commentary

Job 30:17 is a poignant cry from Job, describing the relentless and penetrating nature of his physical suffering. It paints a vivid picture of agony that deprives him of any peace, especially during the hours meant for rest.

Context

This verse is found within Job's third and final monologue (chapters 29-31), where he passionately defends his righteousness and laments his current, dire circumstances. Having lost his family, wealth, and health, Job is afflicted with painful sores from head to toe (Job 2:7). In chapter 30, he contrasts his past respect and prosperity with his present state of utter degradation, social ostracism, and excruciating physical torment. This verse underscores the ceaseless nature of his pain, which offers no reprieve.

Key Themes

  • Profound Physical Suffering: Job's declaration, "My bones are pierced in me," illustrates an intense, deep-seated pain that feels invasive and inescapable. It suggests an agony that has reached the very core of his being, beyond superficial discomfort. This imagery conveys a sense of being perpetually wounded or broken internally.
  • Relentless Torment and Sleeplessness: The phrase "in the night season" is particularly heartbreaking. Night, typically a time for solace and sleep, becomes a period of intensified suffering for Job, preventing him from finding any rest. This highlights the cruel and unyielding nature of his affliction, denying him even the basic human need for respite. Job frequently speaks of his sleepless nights, as seen in Job 7:4.
  • The Depth of Despair: "And my sinews take no rest" further emphasizes the ceaseless, nagging quality of his pain. Whether referring to tendons, muscles, or even the blood vessels (as some interpretations suggest for the original Hebrew), the meaning is clear: every part of his body is gripped by an unyielding ache, leaving him in a state of perpetual agony and utter despair.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "pierced" (ื ืงืจื” - niqra) conveys a sense of being gnawed, dug into, or punctured, reinforcing the idea of a deep, internal, and persistent torment. The KJV's "sinews" in the latter part of the verse translates the Hebrew ืขื•ืจืงื™ ('orqay), which more literally means "veins" or "arteries." This alternative translation would imply a constant, throbbing, pulsating pain that gives no relief, emphasizing the relentless and circulatory nature of his suffering, like a constant internal pressure or ache that never subsides.

Reflection and Application

Job's agonizing description resonates powerfully with anyone who has experienced chronic pain, long-term illness, or profound mental anguish that deprives them of rest. This verse validates the reality of such suffering, reminding us that the Bible does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of human experience. It serves as a profound expression of lament, a raw cry for relief in the face of overwhelming adversity. For believers, Job's perseverance, though incredibly difficult, ultimately points to the hope found in God's sovereignty and future restoration, even when answers are scarce in the present moment (Job 19:25). It encourages empathy for those who suffer silently and reminds us to seek God's comfort and presence even in the darkest nights.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 6:2 (3 votes)

    Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

  • Psalms 6:6 (3 votes)

    I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

  • Job 33:19 (3 votes)

    ยถ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]:

  • Job 33:21 (3 votes)

    His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out.

  • Isaiah 38:13 (3 votes)

    I reckoned till morning, [that], as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.

  • Job 7:4 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Psalms 22:2 (2 votes)

    O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.