Job 10:2

Authorized King James Version

I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֹמַ֣ר
I will say
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אֱ֭לוֹהַּ
unto God
a deity or the deity
#4
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#5
תַּרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי
Do not condemn
to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate
#6
הֽ֝וֹדִיעֵ֗נִי
me shew
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#7
עַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#9
תְּרִיבֵֽנִי׃
me wherefore thou contendest
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection