Job 19:22
Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Original Language Analysis
לָ֭מָּה
H4100
לָ֭מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תִּרְדְּפֻ֣נִי
Why do ye persecute
H7291
תִּרְדְּפֻ֣נִי
Why do ye persecute
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
2 of 7
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
אֵ֑ל
me as God
H410
אֵ֑ל
me as God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 7
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וּ֝מִבְּשָׂרִ֗י
with my flesh
H1320
וּ֝מִבְּשָׂרִ֗י
with my flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
5 of 7
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
Historical Context
Ancient peoples feared divine persecution and saw themselves as potential executors of divine will. Job accuses his friends of presuming to execute what they perceive as God's judgment against him.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we avoid presuming to execute what we perceive as God's judgment on others?
- What checks prevent us from joining what we think is God's opposition to someone?
Analysis & Commentary
'Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?' Job accuses friends of 'persecuting' (תִּרְדְּפֻנִי, tirdefuni—pursuing, chasing) him 'as God' (כְּמוֹ־אֵל, kemo-El) does, insatiable with his 'flesh' (מִבְּשָׂרִי, mibsari). This shocking accusation: they imitate God's apparent persecution. Proverbs 17:5 warns 'whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker.' By persecuting Job, they join what they perceive as God's judgment. But God isn't judging Job; they've misread the situation. This warns against joining perceived divine opposition to someone. We might be opposing God's own. The friends assumed their harshness partnered with God's justice; actually they opposed God's righteous servant.