Read & explore together
Job Prepares for Death
In this passage, Job speaks about suffering, shame and death with painful honesty. He feels near the grave, rejected by others and unsure where hope can be found, yet he also says something important about the righteous.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Job 17:1–16 is part of Job’s dialogue. In these verses, Job describes his failing strength, the mocking around him and his sense that death is close. He speaks to God, speaks about other people, and asks what remains of his hope as he thinks about Sheol and the dust.
Job 17:1–16Main takeaway
This passage shows Job speaking truthfully about deep suffering, while still distinguishing between empty words and the persistence of the righteous.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Job says his life feels spentJob begins by saying his spirit is consumed, his days are finished and the grave is ready for him.
Explanation
Job begins by saying his spirit is consumed, his days are finished and the grave is ready for him. He also says mockers are with him and their provocation stays before his eyes. These words present not a calm reflection, but a cry from someone who feels exhausted and surrounded by scorn.
02Job asks for help and speaks of failed understandingJob asks for a pledge and asks who will strike hands for him, using the language of guarantee or security.
Explanation
Job asks for a pledge and asks who will strike hands for him, using the language of guarantee or security. He says their hearts have been hidden from understanding, so they will not be exalted. He also states a warning about one who denounces friends for plunder, saying even the eyes of his children will fail.
03Job describes disgrace, while the righteous endureJob says he has become a byword among the people and that others spit in his face. His eye is dim with sorrow and his body is like a shadow.
Explanation
Job says he has become a byword among the people and that others spit in his face. His eye is dim with sorrow and his body is like a shadow. Upright people will be astonished, the innocent will rise against the godless, and the righteous will still hold to their way and grow stronger.
04Job rejects empty counsel and questions hopeJob turns back to his listeners and says he cannot find a wise man among them. His days and plans feel over, and others speak as if light is near when darkness remains.
Explanation
Job turns back to his listeners and says he cannot find a wise man among them. His days and plans feel over, and others speak as if light is near when darkness remains. He imagines Sheol as his house and asks where his hope can be, if it goes down with him to Sheol and the dust.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words show how near Job feels to death?
02Which parts of the passage describe the people around Job negatively?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 17:1–16
1“My spirit is consumed. My days are extinct and the grave is ready for me.
2Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.
3“Now give a pledge. Be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?
4For you have hidden their heart from understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.
5He who denounces his friends for plunder, even the eyes of his children will fail.
6“But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
7My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.
8Upright men will be astonished at this. The innocent will stir himself up against the godless.
9Yet the righteous will hold to his way. He who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
10But as for you all, come back. I will not find a wise man among you.
11My days are past. My plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.
12They change the night into day, saying ‘The light is near’ in the presence of darkness.
13If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness,
14if I have said to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ and ‘My sister,’
15where then is my hope? As for my hope, who will see it?
16Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol, or descend together into the dust?”