Job 10 14

Job 10:14 kjv

If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

Job 10:14 nkjv

If I sin, then You mark me, And will not acquit me of my iniquity.

Job 10:14 niv

If I sinned, you would be watching me and would not let my offense go unpunished.

Job 10:14 esv

If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit me of my iniquity.

Job 10:14 nlt

was to watch me, and if I sinned,
you would not forgive my guilt.

Job 10 verses

Job 10 14 Meaning

Job 10:14 conveys Job's desperate perception of God: "If I sin, you watch me; and you will not acquit me of my iniquity." In his intense suffering, Job believes God is hyper-vigilant in observing his every fault, and that even the slightest transgression will not be overlooked or forgiven. He feels trapped in a divine judicial system where mercy is absent, and his guilt is meticulously confirmed, leaving no room for acquittal from the iniquity he feels accused of, which he attributes to his profound affliction.

Job 10 14 Context

Job 10:14 is part of Job’s desperate lament in chapters 9-10, where he directly addresses God. Throughout these chapters, Job struggles intensely with his suffering, unable to reconcile his perceived innocence with the profound agony he endures. His friends uphold the traditional wisdom that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, implying Job must be guilty. Job vehemently rejects this accusation of gross wrongdoing but begins to consider a frightening alternative: that God himself is actively, unjustly, and ruthlessly punishing him, even for the smallest perceived transgression or for no reason he can discern. This verse encapsulates his raw, unfiltered belief that God, far from being a compassionate Father, is a relentless prosecutor who seeks out his faults and refuses to clear his name or alleviate his pain, which he views as a manifestation of divine punishment for "iniquity." It reflects Job’s distorted view of God born from his anguish and the inadequacy of the traditional theological framework to explain his experience.

Job 10 14 Word analysis

• "If I sin" (אִם-חָטָאתִי, im-chatati):

  • Im (אִם): Hebrew conditional particle, "if," implying a possibility or even a hypothesis. Job is considering this from a perspective of either theoretical sin or minimal, unconscious offenses.
  • Chatati (חָטָאתִי): From the root chata' (חָטָא), meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to err." It implies a failure, a deviation from the right path or standard. Job does not admit to significant, obvious sin but considers that even a minor, unconscious deviation could trigger God’s severe scrutiny and judgment. This word encompasses both intentional wrongdoing and unintentional error.

• "you watch me" (וּשְׁמַרְתָּנִי, u'shmartani):

  • U'shmartani: From the root shamar (שָׁמַר), "to keep," "to guard," "to observe closely." In other contexts, shamar can imply protection or care (e.g., God "keeping" Israel). Here, in Job's context, it conveys a menacing sense of diligent surveillance, implying God is observing with intent to find fault and hold accountable, not to protect or nurture. Job feels under intense, forensic scrutiny, as if God is waiting for him to slip up.

• "and you will not acquit me" (וּמֵעֲוֹנִי לֹא תְנַקֵּנִי, u'me'avoni lo t'nakkeni):

  • Lo (לֹא): Hebrew negative particle, "not."
  • T'nakkeni: From the root nakah (נָקָה), meaning "to be clean," "to be clear," "to be innocent," "to be free from blame or guilt." In a legal context, it signifies declaring someone innocent or absolving them. Job believes that God will not clear his name, not declare him blameless, not release him from the charge or consequences of sin, however slight.

• "of my iniquity" (מֵעֲוֹנִי, me'avoni):

  • Avoni: From the root avon (עָוֹן), signifying "iniquity," "guilt," "punishment for iniquity." It often describes the crookedness, perversity, or twistedness of character that underlies sin. It carries a strong sense of the burden and consequences of guilt. For Job, it represents the accusation he feels is leveled against him, the internal corruption or misdeed for which he anticipates no mercy or pardon. It connects his suffering directly to this perceived inescapable guilt.

Words-group analysis:

• "If I sin, you watch me": This phrase dramatically illustrates Job's feeling of being under constant, relentless divine observation. He portrays God not as merciful, but as an ever-present investigator whose focus is solely on detecting moral failures. The "if" highlights the ambiguity of the alleged offense from Job's perspective – it could be minor, theoretical, or even non-existent, yet he feels subjected to this severe scrutiny.

• "and you will not acquit me of my iniquity": This second clause directly presents Job’s despairing conclusion about God’s verdict. It suggests an unyielding justice devoid of mercy, where any discovered "iniquity," however small or even imagined by Job under duress, is met with an unforgiving stance. It denies him any hope of exoneration or release from his suffering, which he views as a divine judgment that will not be lifted. It speaks to a deep sense of divine relentlessness.

Job 10 14 Bonus section

This verse, though a profound expression of Job's despairing theology, also ironically highlights God's true nature as being deeply aware of every aspect of humanity. While Job misinterprets this omniscience as a negative, condemnatory surveillance, it is in fact part of God's perfect knowledge, which ultimately allows for His just, yet merciful, governance. Job’s statement also showcases the natural human inclination, when under immense duress, to view God through the lens of one’s suffering rather than through His revealed character of loving-kindness and steadfast love, as extensively demonstrated elsewhere in the scriptures. It prefigures the necessity of an intercessor or a perfect sacrifice for human acquittal, since no person can truly acquit themselves before a holy God.

Job 10 14 Commentary

Job 10:14 stands as a profound cry from the depths of human anguish, revealing Job's tormented perception of God's character. In his overwhelming suffering, he views God as an unsympathetic, omniscient prosecutor, meticulously watching for any flaw, however minute or unintentional, and then rigorously refusing to declare him innocent. This challenges the simplistic retribution theology that asserts direct suffering implies direct sin. Instead, Job’s lament expresses the chilling possibility that even without known grievous sin, a person could be trapped in a relentless divine pursuit, unable to find acquittal or relief. This verse encapsulates Job's crisis of faith, showing a soul wrestling with the justice and mercy of the Almighty, a wrestling that only truly begins to resolve when God Himself speaks later in the narrative.