Job 17:12
They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
Original Language Analysis
לַ֭יְלָה
the night
H3915
לַ֭יְלָה
the night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
לְי֣וֹם
into day
H3117
לְי֣וֹם
into day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 7
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
יָשִׂ֑ימוּ
They change
H7760
יָשִׂ֑ימוּ
They change
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 7
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
א֝֗וֹר
the light
H216
א֝֗וֹר
the light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
4 of 7
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern thought valued cosmic order—day, night, seasons following divine decree. Job's description of chaos invading order reflects the worldview that sin and evil disrupt creation's proper functioning. Prophetic literature similarly depicts judgment as cosmic disorder.
Questions for Reflection
- How does suffering distort our perception of reality and normal rhythms?
- What practices help maintain orientation when everything feels upside-down?
- How does naming our experience of chaos help us maintain faith's grip?
Analysis & Commentary
Job's world is inverted: 'They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.' Job experiences reality's distortion—normal rhythms disrupted, light overwhelmed by darkness. This describes more than insomnia; it's the disorientation suffering brings. Everything feels wrong, upside-down. Yet Job's ability to articulate this chaos shows he hasn't lost all orientation. Naming the experience creates a foothold for faith to maintain grip on reality.