Job 10:16
For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֭יִגְאֶה
For it increaseth
H1342
וְ֭יִגְאֶה
For it increaseth
Strong's:
H1342
Word #:
1 of 6
to mount up; hence, in general, to rise, (figuratively) be majestic
כַּשַּׁ֣חַל
me as a fierce lion
H7826
כַּשַּׁ֣חַל
me as a fierce lion
Strong's:
H7826
Word #:
2 of 6
a lion (from his characteristic roar)
וְ֝תָשֹׁ֗ב
and again
H7725
וְ֝תָשֹׁ֗ב
and again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 6
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Isaiah 38:13I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.Lamentations 3:10He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.Job 5:9Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
Historical Context
Ancient Near East featured lions as apex predators generating both awe and terror. Hunting imagery was common in royal propaganda and warfare. Job's use of God as hunter reflects his experience of being pursued, trapped, and overwhelmed—common ancient fears given tangible form.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ transform God's fearsome power from threat into protection?
- What does Job's hunter imagery teach about how suffering can invert our perception of God's attributes?
- In what ways is God's power like a lion—both protecting His people and destroying their enemies?
Analysis & Commentary
Job describes God as hunter: 'For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.' The phrase 'it increaseth' (yigeh, יִגְאֶה) refers to Job's affliction growing. God 'huntest' (tsud, צוּד) like predator stalking prey. 'Fierce lion' (shachal, שָׁחַל) denotes powerful, dangerous beast. 'Shewest thyself marvellous' (shaphal, שָׁפַל) means to display power or do wonders—but here the wonders are terrifying demonstrations of power against Job.
Job inverts typical lion imagery. Usually God is lion protecting His people (Hosea 11:10, Revelation 5:5), and enemies are lions threatening believers (Psalm 22:13, 1 Peter 5:8). But Job experiences God as the predator hunting him. Same image, opposite pastoral application. Doctrine about God's power terrifies when experienced as directed against you rather than for you.
Christ reconciles this: He is Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) who defeats enemies but is also Lamb of God (John 1:29) who dies for sinners. The fearsome power Job experiences as hunter becomes, in Christ, power deployed against sin and death on our behalf. God's lion-like might is channeled into redemptive violence against our enemies, not against us.