Job 17:1
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
Original Language Analysis
רוּחִ֣י
My breath
H7307
רוּחִ֣י
My breath
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
1 of 6
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
חֻ֭בָּלָה
is corrupt
H2254
חֻ֭בָּלָה
is corrupt
Strong's:
H2254
Word #:
2 of 6
to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e., to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of partur
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern lament literature used similar imagery of extinction and graves to describe the experience of being near death, whether literally or metaphorically through severe suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we minister to those who genuinely feel near death, whether physically or emotionally?
- What does it mean that Scripture preserves such despairing language?
Analysis & Commentary
'My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.' Job's lament intensifies: 'breath' (רוּחִי, ruchi—spirit) is 'corrupt' (חֻבָּלָה, chubbalah—ruined, destroyed), 'days' (יָמַי, yamay) are 'extinct' (נִזְעֲכוּ, niz'akhu—extinguished, snuffed out), 'graves' (קְבָרִים, qevarim) await. The triple parallelism emphasizes complete deterioration—spirit, time, and body all failing. This is depression's language, describing the feeling of imminent death. Job isn't exaggerating but expressing genuine death-proximity. The Psalms model such lament (Psalm 88:3-5). The Reformed pastoral tradition recognizes that faith doesn't preclude despair's expression. Job's honesty about his condition doesn't negate faith but exercises it by continuing to address God.