Job 30 16

Job 30:16 kjv

And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

Job 30:16 nkjv

"And now my soul is poured out because of my plight; The days of affliction take hold of me.

Job 30:16 niv

"And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.

Job 30:16 esv

"And now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction have taken hold of me.

Job 30:16 nlt

"And now my life seeps away.
Depression haunts my days.

Job 30 verses

Job 30 16 Meaning

Job 30:16 depicts the profound depth of Job's suffering, expressing his complete physical and emotional collapse. He feels his very life, his inner vitality and essence, draining away from him, much like water pouring out, signifying a state of utter despondency and a near-death experience. His prolonged "days of affliction" have completely overwhelmed him, seizing hold of him with an inescapable grip, leaving him vulnerable and desolate.

Job 30 16 Context

Job 30:16 is part of Job's lengthy lament (chapters 29-31) in response to his three friends' final cycle of speeches. In chapter 29, Job reminisced about his former blessed state and public respect, lamenting the stark contrast with his current degradation. Chapter 30 shifts to a detailed account of his present suffering: physical torment (vv. 17-19), emotional anguish (vv. 9-15), social humiliation, and spiritual abandonment by God (vv. 20-23). Verse 16 specifically highlights his internal state of despair and the sensation of his very life essence dissipating under the relentless weight of his affliction. It marks a moment of intense vulnerability, where Job describes not just what is happening to him, but how it feels from within, emphasizing his personal, existential crisis. Historically, the ancient Near East had no concept of suffering as redemptive, and prosperity was often seen as a sign of divine favor, while misfortune suggested divine displeasure, making Job's unjust suffering all the more perplexing and agonizing.

Job 30 16 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה, wə‘attah): This conjunctive adverb signals a crucial shift in Job's narrative from recounting his glorious past (Job 29) to his devastating present reality. It emphasizes the immediate, ongoing nature of his suffering, highlighting a sharp and painful contrast. This contrast amplifies the shock and despair Job experiences.
• My soul (נַפְשִׁי, nafsî): The Hebrew word nefesh here denotes Job's inner self, his very life-force, vitality, essence, and personal being. It is far more than just "soul" in the modern sense; it encompasses his whole living being, including his consciousness, desires, and emotions. By saying his "nefesh" is affected, Job expresses an attack on the deepest core of his existence, his very life.
• is poured out (יִשְׁפֹּךְ עָלַי, yishpōk ‘alay): The verb shāfakh means "to pour out" or "to spill." Here, the image is that of a liquid, such as water or blood, draining away or spilling out uncontrollably. This powerful metaphor conveys a sense of profound weakness, complete exhaustion, and the loss of life's essential fluid or energy. It signifies Job's internal dissolution, a feeling of his life ebbing away from him, leaving him hollow and empty. This imagery implies an irreversible loss, a vital element slipping away beyond his control.
• within me: Though not explicitly present as a separate word in the Hebrew ‘alay (on me/upon me), the idea of this pouring out happening internally, affecting his essence, is conveyed by the context of "my soul." The pouring out "on him" suggests an internal dissolution of his vital spirit, leading to inner collapse.
• The days of affliction (יְמֵי עֹנִי, yəmê ‘ōnî): ‘Ōnî signifies "misery," "distress," "humiliation," "affliction," or "poverty." "Days" (יְמֵי, yəmey) denotes a prolonged period, not just a fleeting moment. Job emphasizes that this is not a transient sorrow but an extended, oppressive season of intense suffering and humiliation that has pervaded every aspect of his life. This duration makes his torment particularly excruciating.
• have laid hold on me (תָּפְשׂוּנִי, tāfəśûnî): The verb tāfaś means "to seize," "to grasp," or "to take hold of." This is a forceful and active verb, indicating that the affliction is not passively observed by Job, but aggressively clutches him. It suggests that his suffering has him firmly in its grasp, like a hunter captures prey, or a disease grips a body, leaving him powerless to escape or resist its relentless hold.

Job 30 16 Bonus section

The image of "poured out" in relation to one's soul or life is a recurring motif in Hebrew poetry, typically signifying extreme weakness, desolation, or facing imminent death (e.g., Ps 22:14, Lam 2:11). In Job's case, it serves as a powerful polemic against the simplistic retribution theology of his friends, which suggested that such intense suffering was solely due to great sin. Job, through his relentless lament, posits that one can be righteous and still experience unfathomable, undeserved affliction. His visceral description challenges the comfortable theological frameworks of his day, asserting the mysterious and often incomprehensible nature of human suffering. It highlights the often hidden, internal dimension of anguish that goes unseen by observers.

Job 30 16 Commentary

Job 30:16 is a heart-wrenching expression of Job's profound and pervasive suffering. It articulates an internal death, where his very life-force seems to dissipate, rather than just physical pain. The metaphor of his "soul poured out" conveys an irreversible loss of vitality, a total inner collapse. This feeling is not a fleeting emotion but a consequence of "days of affliction" that have actively "laid hold on him," demonstrating the relentless grip of his misery. It reveals a man utterly spent, physically frail and spiritually emptied, facing an existential crisis where life itself becomes an unbearable burden. This verse encapsulates the essence of Job's desolate state, far beyond mere outward discomfort, highlighting the complete devastation of his being under the weight of his unprecedented trials.