Job 17:6
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Job 17:6
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
Chapter Context
Job 17 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, judgment, salvation. 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 13-16: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. 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 17:6
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
Analysis
'He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.' Job becomes a 'byword' (מָשָׁל, mashal—proverb, object lesson) of 'the people' (עַמִּים, ammim), and 'aforetime' (לְפָנִים, lefanim—formerly) people came 'as a tabret' (כְּתֹף, ketofe—like a drum/tambourine, for joy). The Hebrew is difficult but suggests Job has become a proverbial example of calamity, and people spit in his face (many translations). From respected to reviled, from joy-bringer to object lesson of disaster. This social reversal compounds suffering. Proverbs 3:35 warns that fools inherit shame. Job experiences this despite being righteous. Christ too became a byword (Psalm 69:11). Job's experience anticipates the Suffering Servant who bore reproach.
Historical Context
In ancient shame-honor culture, becoming a byword or proverb of disaster was profound social death. Job's loss of honor and respect would be devastating, compounding his physical and economic losses.
Reflection
- How does social shaming compound other forms of suffering?
- What does Job's experience as a byword teach us about Christ's shame-bearing?
Cross-References
- Word: Job 30:9, Psalms 44:14