Job 7:15
So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.
So that my soul {H5315} chooseth {H977} strangling {H4267}, and death {H4194} rather than my life {H6106}.
I would rather be strangled; death would be better than these bones of mine.
so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than these my bones.
Cross-References
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2 Samuel 17:23 (2 votes)
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. -
Matthew 27:5 (2 votes)
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Commentary
Job 7:15 (KJV): "So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life."
In this profoundly poignant verse, Job expresses the absolute depth of his despair, revealing a soul so tormented that it actively prefers death, even a violent one, over the continuation of his agonizing life. It is a raw cry from the very brink of human endurance.
Context
This verse is part of Job's first extensive lament, where he directly addresses God after his initial suffering and the beginning of the theological debate with his three friends. Having lost his children, wealth, and health, Job is overwhelmed by inexplicable pain. His friends have offered little comfort, largely attributing his suffering to hidden sin, which Job steadfastly denies. In Job chapter 7, Job pours out his heart to God, describing his weariness, restlessness, and the feeling of being relentlessly pursued by divine affliction. This particular statement underscores the utter hopelessness he feels, where life itself has become an unbearable burden, leading him to wish for an end to his torment.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV word "strangling" translates the Hebrew term khanak (ΧΧ Χ§), which literally means "to choke," "to throttle," or "to strangle." This specific choice of death is highly significant. It implies a swift, decisive, and perhaps self-inflicted end to his torment, in stark contrast to the drawn-out, agonizing pain he is enduring from his physical ailments. The use of khanak powerfully conveys Job's desperate yearning for immediate cessation of pain, even if it comes through a violent means, rather than continuing to suffer a slow, agonizing decline.
Practical Application
Job 7:15 offers profound insights for contemporary understanding of suffering and faith:
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.