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Job 7:11

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Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Therefore I will not refrain {H2820} my mouth {H6310}; I will speak {H1696} in the anguish {H6862} of my spirit {H7307}; I will complain {H7878} in the bitterness {H4751} of my soul {H5315}.

"Therefore I will not restrain my mouth but will speak in my anguish of spirit and complain in my bitterness of soul.

Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Commentary

Context

Job 7:11 is a poignant declaration from Job, who is enduring unimaginable suffering, having lost his children, possessions, and health. This verse comes amidst a series of deeply emotional and often despairing speeches by Job, where he grapples with his pain and questions God's actions. His friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, have arrived to "comfort" him, but their theological explanations and implicit accusations only intensify Job's distress. In this particular chapter, Job is addressing God directly, expressing his profound weariness and the belief that God is relentlessly afflicting him. This verse serves as a defiant assertion of his right to vocalize his agony, even if it sounds like a complaint, contrasting with his initial, more accepting response to suffering in Job 1:21.

Key Themes

  • The Right to Lament: Job asserts his fundamental right to express his raw, unfiltered pain and frustration. This challenges any notion that true faith requires stoic silence in the face of immense suffering. It highlights a biblical pattern of honest communication with God, even when it involves complaint.
  • Authenticity in Suffering: The verse powerfully conveys the depth of human despair. Job's words underscore that it is permissible, even necessary, to bring one's authentic anguish, doubts, and bitterness before God.
  • Profound Human Anguish: "Anguish of my spirit" and "bitterness of my soul" vividly portray the overwhelming internal torment Job experiences. It's a soul-deep pain that demands expression.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Anguish of my spirit" (Hebrew: ruach): The term ruach often refers to the breath, spirit, or inner being. Here, "anguish of my spirit" signifies a deep, internal vexation and distress that affects Job's very core, his inner life force.
  • "Bitterness of my soul" (Hebrew: nephesh): Nephesh typically refers to the soul, self, or person. "Bitterness of my soul" indicates a profound, sharp pain and resentment that permeates his entire being, suggesting a feeling of being deeply wronged or afflicted.
  • "Complain" (Hebrew: siyach): While translated as "complain" here, siyach can also mean to meditate, muse, or pour out one's thoughts. In this context, it conveys a strong sense of lament, a protest, or an outpouring of grief and frustration to God.

Practical Application

Job 7:11 provides significant comfort and validation for those experiencing deep suffering. It reminds us that:

  • It's Okay to Not Be Okay: The Bible, through Job's example and numerous Psalms of lament (e.g., Psalm 13:1-2), grants permission for believers to express their pain, doubts, and frustrations to God directly and honestly.
  • God Can Handle Our Honesty: We are not expected to put on a facade of perfect piety when we suffer. God welcomes our authentic selves, including our complaints, our anger, and our tears. This raw honesty can be a pathway to deeper intimacy with Him.
  • Empathy for Others: This verse fosters empathy, encouraging us to understand that expressions of pain, even those that seem bitter or defiant, are valid responses to profound suffering and should be met with compassion, not condemnation.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 40:9 (6 votes)

    I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

  • Job 10:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

  • 1 Samuel 1:10 (5 votes)

    And she [was] in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

  • Isaiah 38:17 (4 votes)

    Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul [delivered it] from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

  • Job 21:25 (4 votes)

    And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

  • Isaiah 38:15 (4 votes)

    What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done [it]: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.

  • Luke 22:44 (3 votes)

    And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.