Job 17:15
And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
Original Language Analysis
אֵפ֣וֹ
And where is now
H645
אֵפ֣וֹ
And where is now
Strong's:
H645
Word #:
2 of 6
strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then
וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י
as for my hope
H8615
וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י
as for my hope
Strong's:
H8615
Word #:
3 of 6
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י
as for my hope
H8615
וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י
as for my hope
Strong's:
H8615
Word #:
4 of 6
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom generally promised hope to the righteous. Job here subverts this, acknowledging that sometimes even the righteous experience seasons where hope seems completely absent, a reality rarely admitted in wisdom literature.
Questions for Reflection
- How is crying 'where is hope?' to God different from abandoning faith?
- What role does honest hopelessness play in faith's journey?
Analysis & Commentary
'And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?' The double question emphasizes hopelessness: 'where is my hope?' (אַיֵּה אֵפוֹ תִקְוָתִי, ayyeh efo tiqvati) and 'who shall see it?' (מִי יְשׁוּרֶנָּה, mi yeshurenah). This is faith's darkest night—not denying hope's existence but unable to locate it. The Reformed tradition acknowledges such dark nights (St. John of the Cross, Puritan writings on desertion). Job doesn't manufacture false hope but cries from genuine hopelessness. God meets us in this honesty. Interestingly, Job eventually receives answer and restoration, but not through pretending hope when feeling hopeless. Faith sometimes means crying 'where is hope?' to God rather than manufacturing optimism. Truth-telling precedes hope's restoration.