Job 19:15
They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
Original Language Analysis
גָּ֘רֵ֤י
They that dwell
H1481
גָּ֘רֵ֤י
They that dwell
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
בֵיתִ֣י
in mine house
H1004
בֵיתִ֣י
in mine house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 8
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְזָ֣ר
me for a stranger
H2114
לְזָ֣ר
me for a stranger
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
4 of 8
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
תַּחְשְׁבֻ֑נִי
count
H2803
תַּחְשְׁבֻ֑נִי
count
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
נָ֝כְרִ֗י
I am an alien
H5237
נָ֝כְרִ֗י
I am an alien
Strong's:
H5237
Word #:
6 of 8
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
Historical Context
Ancient household structures involved complex hierarchies—masters, servants, slaves. For servants to treat their master as alien required extraordinary circumstances. Job's loss of status is so complete that even those lowest in household structure no longer recognize his authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How does loss of social position and recognition affect our sense of identity?
- What does it mean to find identity in God when all earthly identities collapse?
- How does the Gospel address our need for recognition and belonging?
Analysis & Commentary
Even household servants reject Job: 'They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.' Job's reversal is complete—those dependent on him now treat him as outsider. The master becomes stranger in his own household. This inversion of proper order shows how catastrophic loss inverts all relationships. Yet this extreme alienation prepares Job to find identity in God alone, not social position.