Job 10:20
Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹא
H3808
הֲלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמַ֣י
Are not my days
H3117
יָמַ֣י
Are not my days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יַחֲדָ֑ל
cease
H2308
יַחֲדָ֑ל
cease
Strong's:
H2308
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי
H4480
מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom frequently meditated on life's transience (Psalm 39:4-5, 90:3-6, 103:15-16, Ecclesiastes 6:12). Job appeals to this common wisdom, hoping God will grant mercy given humanity's brief existence. The plea assumes divine compassion should account for human frailty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does life's brevity both warn against wasting time and comfort us that suffering is temporary?
- What does Job's modest request (comfort 'a little') teach about suffering's effect on our expectations?
- In what ways does eternal life in Christ transform our perspective on earthly life's brevity?
Analysis & Commentary
Job contemplates mortality's brevity: 'Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.' The question 'Are not my days few?' (lo meat yamay, הֲלֹא מְעַט יָמַי) acknowledges life's brevity. Job pleads 'cease' (chadal, חֲדַל, stop or desist) and 'let me alone' (shith mimmenni, שִׁית מִמֶּנִּי, leave from me) so he can 'take comfort' (abligha, אַבְלִיגָה, brighten or be glad) 'a little' (meat, מְעַט, small amount).
Job's request is modest—not perpetual happiness but brief respite before death. The plea reveals suffering's toll: Job cannot envision long-term relief, only momentary comfort. Life's brevity usually motivates urgency (Psalm 90:12), but for Job it supports petition for mercy—if days are few, why not grant brief relief? The argument has logical force: punish later or skip it entirely since death comes soon anyway.
James 4:14 echoes Job's brevity theme: 'What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth.' But the application differs: James warns against presumption, while Job appeals for mercy. Life's brevity cuts both ways—it should humble the proud and comfort the afflicted. Job needs the latter application.