Job 6:9
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Original Language Analysis
וְיֹאֵ֣ל
Even that it would please
H2974
וְיֹאֵ֣ל
Even that it would please
Strong's:
H2974
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition
וִֽידַכְּאֵ֑נִי
to destroy
H1792
וִֽידַכְּאֵ֑נִי
to destroy
Strong's:
H1792
Word #:
3 of 6
to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
יַתֵּ֥ר
me that he would let loose
H5425
יַתֵּ֥ר
me that he would let loose
Strong's:
H5425
Word #:
4 of 6
to jump, i.e., be violently agitated; causatively, to terrify, shake off, untie
Cross References
1 Kings 19:4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.Jonah 4:3Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.Jonah 4:8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.Revelation 9:6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.Psalms 32:4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.Job 19:21Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.Job 14:13O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
Historical Context
Requesting death from deity appears in ancient Near Eastern lament literature as extreme expression of suffering. Job's request follows these patterns while notably maintaining God's sovereignty over life and death.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you understand the difference between wishing for death and pursuing suicide?
- What does Job's appeal to God for death teach us about maintaining God's sovereignty even in darkest prayers?
Analysis & Commentary
Job's request: 'Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!' The Hebrew 'dakak' (destroy/crush) and 'batsa'' (cut off) are violent terms. Job asks God to finish what He started—to complete his destruction rather than prolonging his agony. The phrase 'let loose his hand' suggests God is restraining His full judgment. Job would prefer swift death to prolonged suffering, yet notably he asks God to do this rather than taking his own life.