Job 14:17
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Job 14:17
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
Chapter Context
Job 14 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of discipleship, salvation, faith. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-22: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Job 14:17
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
Analysis
'My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.' Job describes God storing his 'transgression' (פִּשְׁעִי, pish'i) in a sealed bag (צְרוֹר, tseror) and sewing up his 'iniquity' (עֲוֹנִי, avoni). This imagery can be read two ways:
- God carefully preserves evidence for judgment, or
- God covers and hides sin.
Context suggests the former—Job feels God meticulously records every fault. Yet this same imagery appears positively in Hosea 13:12 (sin stored for future reckoning) and negatively in Deuteronomy 32:34. The Gospel transforms this: Christ's blood covers our sins permanently (Hebrews 10:17, Micah 7:19—sins cast into the sea).
Historical Context
Ancient people stored valuables in sealed bags. Job uses this commercial imagery to describe how carefully God seems to preserve his sins for accounting, reflecting ancient understanding of divine record-keeping.
Reflection
- How does Christ transform the terror of God carefully recording our sins?
- What comfort exists in knowing God is precisely aware of our every sin yet has chosen to cover them?
Word Studies
- Iniquity: עָוֹן (Avon) H5771 - Iniquity, guilt, punishment
Cross-References
- Sin: Hosea 13:12
- Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 32:34