Job 19:13, "“He has put my brothers far from me. My acquaintances are wholly estranged from me," expresses Job's profound sense of isolation and abandonment in the midst of his suffering. Let's break it down:
"He has put my brothers far from me": Job feels that God has actively distanced him from his own family members. This isn't necessarily a physical separation (though it could involve that), but more likely refers to an emotional and relational distance. His brothers, who should be his closest allies and sources of comfort, have turned away from him, possibly out of fear of associating with someone whom they perceive as cursed by God or as being too problematic to handle.
"My acquaintances are wholly estranged from me": The word "acquaintances" suggests people outside Job's immediate family - friends, business associates, members of his community, etc. The phrase "wholly estranged" means that they are completely and utterly alienated from him. They have become strangers, no longer offering him support, friendship, or even basic human kindness. They, like his brothers, have abandoned him in his time of need.
Overall meaning:
This verse emphasizes Job's utter loneliness and the breakdown of his social support system. He feels completely isolated, abandoned by those who should be closest to him. He attributes this estrangement to God, believing that God is the one causing or allowing his suffering and pushing people away from him. It contributes to his feelings of being unfairly treated and misunderstood. It shows the depth of his despair as not only has he lost his health, wealth, and children, but also his social connections and status.
In the context of the Book of Job:
This verse is part of Job's lament in the face of his intense suffering. He's grappling with the question of why a righteous man like himself is experiencing such immense hardship. This verse is one example of his feeling abandoned not just by God, but also by his fellow humans, making his suffering even more unbearable. This is part of Job's attempt to understand his situation and to challenge God to explain why these things are happening to him.
Job 19:13, "“He has put my brothers far from me. My acquaintances are wholly estranged from me," expresses Job's profound sense of isolation and abandonment in the midst of his suffering. Let's break it down:
"He has put my brothers far from me": Job feels that God has actively distanced him from his own family members. This isn't necessarily a physical separation (though it could involve that), but more likely refers to an emotional and relational distance. His brothers, who should be his closest allies and sources of comfort, have turned away from him, possibly out of fear of associating with someone whom they perceive as cursed by God or as being too problematic to handle.
"My acquaintances are wholly estranged from me": The word "acquaintances" suggests people outside Job's immediate family - friends, business associates, members of his community, etc. The phrase "wholly estranged" means that they are completely and utterly alienated from him. They have become strangers, no longer offering him support, friendship, or even basic human kindness. They, like his brothers, have abandoned him in his time of need.
Overall meaning:
This verse emphasizes Job's utter loneliness and the breakdown of his social support system. He feels completely isolated, abandoned by those who should be closest to him. He attributes this estrangement to God, believing that God is the one causing or allowing his suffering and pushing people away from him. It contributes to his feelings of being unfairly treated and misunderstood. It shows the depth of his despair as not only has he lost his health, wealth, and children, but also his social connections and status.
In the context of the Book of Job:
This verse is part of Job's lament in the face of his intense suffering. He's grappling with the question of why a righteous man like himself is experiencing such immense hardship. This verse is one example of his feeling abandoned not just by God, but also by his fellow humans, making his suffering even more unbearable. This is part of Job's attempt to understand his situation and to challenge God to explain why these things are happening to him.