Job 16:13
His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
Original Language Analysis
יָ֘סֹ֤בּוּ
compass me round about
H5437
יָ֘סֹ֤בּוּ
compass me round about
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
1 of 10
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
עָלַ֨י׀
H5921
עָלַ֨י׀
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֭לְיוֹתַי
my reins
H3629
כִּ֭לְיוֹתַי
my reins
Strong's:
H3629
Word #:
5 of 10
a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְמ֑וֹל
and doth not spare
H2550
יַחְמ֑וֹל
and doth not spare
Strong's:
H2550
Word #:
7 of 10
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
he poureth out
H8210
יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
he poureth out
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
8 of 10
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
Cross References
Job 20:25It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.Job 6:4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.Lamentations 2:11Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.
Historical Context
Ancient warfare involved archers surrounding and overwhelming targets. Internal organs (reins, gall) were understood as seats of emotion and life. Job uses military imagery his contemporaries would immediately grasp to describe his suffering's intensity.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we make space for honest expressions of feeling attacked by God while maintaining that He is good?
- What is the difference between describing how suffering feels versus making theological claims about God's character?
- How does Christ's experience of feeling forsaken by God validate our expressions of similar feelings?
Analysis & Commentary
Job describes God's attack: 'His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.' Vivid military imagery depicts God as archer shooting at Job from all sides. 'Reins' (kidneys) represent the innermost being—God's arrows pierce Job's core. Pouring out gall (bile) suggests internal injuries. This graphic language expresses Job's experience of suffering as divine assault. His honesty in describing feeling attacked by God models authentic lament.