Job 19:3
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
Original Language Analysis
עֶ֣שֶׂר
These ten
H6235
עֶ֣שֶׂר
These ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
2 of 8
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
פְּ֭עָמִים
times
H6471
פְּ֭עָמִים
times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
3 of 8
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
תַּכְלִימ֑וּנִי
have ye reproached
H3637
תַּכְלִימ֑וּנִי
have ye reproached
Strong's:
H3637
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵ֝בֹ֗שׁוּ
me ye are not ashamed
H954
תֵ֝בֹ֗שׁוּ
me ye are not ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
Cross References
Genesis 31:7And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.Psalms 69:8I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.Job 19:17My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body.Nehemiah 4:12And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.Daniel 1:20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Historical Context
The number ten often indicates completeness or many times. Job emphasizes the relentless, shameless nature of his friends' attacks, which violate ancient friendship obligations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does theological certainty sometimes override basic human decency?
- What accountability prevents us from justifying cruelty through doctrinal correctness?
Analysis & Commentary
'These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.' Job counts 'ten times' (זֶה עֶשֶׂר פְּעָמִים, zeh eser pe'amim) they've 'reproached' (תַּכְלִימוּנִי, takhlimuni—humiliated, insulted) him. They 'make strange' (תַּהְכִּרוּ, tahhiru—make hard, be strange/cruel) without shame (לֹא־תֵבֹשׁוּ, lo-tevoshu). Job protests the friends' relentless assault. They feel no shame for their cruelty, convinced their orthodoxy justifies any harshness. This warns against theological certainty overriding basic compassion. Proverbs 27:6 says 'faithful are the wounds of a friend,' but the friends' wounds aren't faithful—they're cruel. The Reformed pastoral tradition insists truth must be spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15), never weaponized.