Job 27:2

Authorized King James Version

PDF

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

Original Language Analysis

חַי liveth H2416
חַי liveth
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 1 of 7
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אֵ֭ל As God H410
אֵ֭ל As God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 2 of 7
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
הֵסִ֣יר who hath taken away H5493
הֵסִ֣יר who hath taken away
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 3 of 7
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י my judgment H4941
מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י my judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 4 of 7
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י and the Almighty H7706
וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י and the Almighty
Strong's: H7706
Word #: 5 of 7
the almighty
הֵמַ֥ר who hath vexed H4843
הֵמַ֥ר who hath vexed
Strong's: H4843
Word #: 6 of 7
to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)
נַפְשִֽׁי׃ my soul H5315
נַפְשִֽׁי׃ my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 7 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis & Commentary

Job makes a solemn oath: "As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul." The oath formula "as God liveth" (chai-el, חַי־אֵל) invokes God as witness and enforcer. The verb sur (סוּר, "taken away") means to remove or turn aside. Job claims God has denied him justice (mishpat, מִשְׁפָּט). The verb marar (מָרַר, "vexed") means to embitter. Job's audacity is striking: he swears by the very God he accuses of injustice. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that even wounded faith clings to God—Job has nowhere else to turn. This anticipates Peter's response: "Lord, to whom shall we go?" (John 6:68). Job's oath contains both protest and faith: he protests God's treatment while simultaneously acknowledging God's authority to enforce oaths. This paradox characterizes authentic lament—bringing complaints to God, not abandoning Him because of complaints.

Historical Context

Oath formulas invoking God's life were solemn in ancient Israel (Ruth 3:13, 1 Samuel 14:39). Such oaths made God witness and avenger if the oath-taker proved false. Job's oath is remarkable because he simultaneously protests God's treatment and appeals to God's justice. This reflects covenant relationship—Job can argue with God precisely because he's in relationship with Him. Lament psalms (Psalm 13, 22, 88) similarly combine protest and faith.

Questions for Reflection