Job 23:2
Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הַ֭יּוֹם
Even to day
H3117
הַ֭יּוֹם
Even to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 8
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
מְרִ֣י
bitter
H4805
מְרִ֣י
bitter
Strong's:
H4805
Word #:
3 of 8
bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious
שִׂחִ֑י
is my complaint
H7879
שִׂחִ֑י
is my complaint
Strong's:
H7879
Word #:
4 of 8
a contemplation; by implication, an utterance
יָ֝דִ֗י
my stroke
H3027
יָ֝דִ֗י
my stroke
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 8
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כָּבְדָ֥ה
is heavier
H3513
כָּבְדָ֥ה
is heavier
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
6 of 8
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite piety encouraged honest lament—the Psalms contain more lament than praise. Job's 'bitter complaint' stands in this tradition (Psalms 64:1, 142:2), modeling that faith can coexist with brutal honesty about suffering. This validates Christian lament as authentic worship, not weak faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's 'bitter complaint' challenge modern expectations that Christians should always project positivity?
- What is the difference between Job's honest bitterness and sinful complaining against God's character?
- When has your suffering been 'heavier than your groaning'—beyond your ability to express?
Analysis & Commentary
Even to day is my complaint bitter (גַּם־הַיּוֹם מְרִי שִׂחִי, gam-hayyom meri sichi)—The word מְרִי (meri) derives from מָרָה (marah, 'to be bitter/rebellious'), the same root as Marah, the bitter waters (Exodus 15:23). Job's שִׂיחַ (siach, 'complaint/meditation') remains מְרִי—not sinfully rebellious but honestly bitter. The phrase even to day emphasizes ongoing suffering without relief.
My stroke is heavier than my groaning (כָּבֵד יָדִי עַל־אַנְחָתִי)—literally 'my hand is heavy upon my groaning.' The Hebrew יָד (yad, 'hand') likely refers to God's hand afflicting Job, though some interpret it as Job's own hand unable to suppress groans. Either way, the כָּבֵד (kaved, 'heavy/weighty') burden exceeds his capacity to articulate—his suffering is literally unspeakable.