Job 10:1
My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
Original Language Analysis
נַפְשִֽׁי׃
My soul
H5315
נַפְשִֽׁי׃
My soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
בְּחַ֫יָּ֥י
of my life
H2416
בְּחַ֫יָּ֥י
of my life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
3 of 9
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
עָלַ֣י
H5921
עָלַ֣י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲ֝דַבְּרָה֗
upon myself I will speak
H1696
אֲ֝דַבְּרָה֗
upon myself I will speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 9
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Job 7:11Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.1 Kings 19:4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.Numbers 11:15And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.Job 9:21Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.Jonah 4:8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.Job 5:20In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
Historical Context
Ancient piety sometimes demanded stoic acceptance, but biblical lament makes room for 'bitterness of soul.' Job models prayer that doesn't minimize pain or pretend composure.
Questions for Reflection
- What complaints have you suppressed because they seemed too bitter?
- How can bitter honesty before God be an act of faith?
Analysis & Commentary
Job declares 'My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.' The decision to 'leave complaint upon myself' means giving free reign to honest lament. Bitterness here is not sinful but the authentic expression of soul-deep anguish.