Job 16:18
O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּכַסִּ֣י
cover
H3680
תְּכַסִּ֣י
cover
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
דָמִ֑י
not thou my blood
H1818
דָמִ֑י
not thou my blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 8
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וְֽאַל
H408
וְֽאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יְהִ֥י
H1961
יְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Isaiah 26:21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.Ezekiel 24:7For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;Genesis 4:11And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern justice believed innocent blood polluted the land and demanded vengeance. Job appeals to this principle, confident his innocence requires vindication.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for innocent blood to cry out for justice?
- How does Christ's blood fulfill and transcend Job's appeal?
Analysis & Commentary
Job's cry 'O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place' appeals to the ground itself to testify to injustice. Blood crying from the ground appears first in Genesis 4:10 (Abel) and anticipates Christ's blood that speaks better things (Hebrews 12:24).