Job 17 — Tyndale Study Notes
Job.17.1
My spirit is crushed: This can refer to a properly contrite attitude (Ps 51:17), but more often it connotes an unbearably sad heart (Prov 18:14).
Job.17.2
surrounded by mockers: Laments typically describe mockery as the response of the wicked to the distress of the righteous (Pss 22:7; 69:10-12; 89:50-52). In wisdom literature, mockery is directed against the right behavior (Prov 1:22; 9:7).
Job.17.3-5
defend my innocence, O God (literally please keep my pledge with yourself): A pledge (Hebrew ‘erabon) can be a deposit guaranteeing payment (Gen 38:17-20; Exod 22:26-27; Deut 24:10-14; see Prov 20:16; 27:13), so this might suggest atonement. It might also be another reference to Job’s desire for an advocate to plead his case (see study note on Job 16:19-21).
Job.17.6
To spit in someone’s face was even more insulting than a slap (16:10) because spit made the person unclean (Num 12:14).
Job.17.8-9
Some scholars view these verses as being out of place, but perhaps Job was ironically quoting his opponents’ words.
Job.17.10-16
Job gave up on his comforters (6:15-21; 13:4-5; 16:2-3; cp. 12:2) and believed he would die a hopeless death.
Job.17.13
to the grave (Hebrew to Sheol): The realm of the dead was visualized as a house (30:23; Ps 49:11; Eccl 12:5).
Job.17.14
my father . . . mother . . . sister: This bitter parody of a family reunion in a graveyard shows how Job envisioned his impending death.
Job.17.16
the grave (literally the bars of Sheol): Sheol—the abode of the dead—was seen as having a barred gate, allowing no escape.