Job 17:6 - “But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
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What does "Job 17:6" mean?
The verse "But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face" (Job 17:6) expresses Job's profound suffering and degradation in the following ways:
"He has made me a byword of the people": This means that God (or at least, Job believes God is responsible) has turned him into an object of scorn, ridicule, and gossip. A "byword" is someone whose name or situation is used as an example of something bad, foolish, or contemptible. People are talking about Job negatively and using him as a cautionary tale or an example of what not to be. He has become a figure of mockery.
"They spit in my face": This is a literal and symbolic act of extreme contempt and disrespect. Spitting on someone was a deeply offensive gesture in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It signified utter rejection, defilement, and a complete lack of value.
Combined Meaning:
The verse vividly portrays Job's humiliation and social isolation. He feels that God has singled him out for public shame. The combination of being a "byword" (subject of widespread scorn) and having people literally spit in his face emphasizes the depth of his degradation. He is not just suffering physically, but also emotionally and socially, losing his honor and status in the community. He feels utterly despised and rejected by his fellow humans, likely due to their belief that his suffering is a punishment for some hidden sin.
In essence, Job is lamenting that he has become a public spectacle of shame and disgust.
Job 17:6 - “But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
What does "Job 17:6" mean?
The verse "But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face" (Job 17:6) expresses Job's profound suffering and degradation in the following ways:
"He has made me a byword of the people": This means that God (or at least, Job believes God is responsible) has turned him into an object of scorn, ridicule, and gossip. A "byword" is someone whose name or situation is used as an example of something bad, foolish, or contemptible. People are talking about Job negatively and using him as a cautionary tale or an example of what not to be. He has become a figure of mockery.
"They spit in my face": This is a literal and symbolic act of extreme contempt and disrespect. Spitting on someone was a deeply offensive gesture in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It signified utter rejection, defilement, and a complete lack of value.
Combined Meaning:
The verse vividly portrays Job's humiliation and social isolation. He feels that God has singled him out for public shame. The combination of being a "byword" (subject of widespread scorn) and having people literally spit in his face emphasizes the depth of his degradation. He is not just suffering physically, but also emotionally and socially, losing his honor and status in the community. He feels utterly despised and rejected by his fellow humans, likely due to their belief that his suffering is a punishment for some hidden sin.
In essence, Job is lamenting that he has become a public spectacle of shame and disgust.