Job 16:9
He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
Original Language Analysis
אַפּ֤וֹ
me in his wrath
H639
אַפּ֤וֹ
me in his wrath
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
טָרַ֨ף׀
He teareth
H2963
טָרַ֨ף׀
He teareth
Strong's:
H2963
Word #:
2 of 10
to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)
עָלַ֣י
H5921
עָלַ֣י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּשִׁנָּ֑יו
upon me with his teeth
H8127
בְּשִׁנָּ֑יו
upon me with his teeth
Strong's:
H8127
Word #:
6 of 10
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
יִלְטֹ֖שׁ
sharpeneth
H3913
יִלְטֹ֖שׁ
sharpeneth
Strong's:
H3913
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e., to sharpen
Cross References
Psalms 35:16With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.Job 13:24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?Lamentations 2:16All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.Acts 7:54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.Psalms 37:12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.Job 19:11He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.Job 18:4He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?Hosea 6:1Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Historical Context
Ancient lament literature, including Psalms, used similar violent imagery to describe feeling abandoned or attacked by God. Job stands in this tradition of honest, painful prayer.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain faith when God feels like an enemy?
- What role does honest expression of feeling abandoned play in spiritual formation?
Analysis & Commentary
'He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.' Job describes God's apparent hostility: 'teareth' (טָרַף, taraf—rips, rends) in 'wrath' (אַפּוֹ, apo), 'hateth' (שְׂטָמִי, setami), 'gnasheth teeth' (חָרַק, charaq—grinds), 'sharpeneth eyes' (יִלְטוֹשׁ עֵינָיו, yiltosh eynav—sharpens, focuses gaze). This violent imagery expresses how God's providence feels to Job—like enemy attack. The Reformed tradition acknowledges this dark night of the soul (Psalm 88, Lamentations 3:1-20). Job isn't denying God's goodness metaphysically but describing his experience honestly. Faith includes seasons where God feels like an enemy. The Psalms model this honest lament. Job's raw honesty eventually leads to deeper relationship (42:5).