Job 7:19 - How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?

Generated Verse: Job 7:19

What does "Job 7:19" mean?


This verse, Job 7:19, expresses Job's extreme frustration and suffering, questioning why God is relentlessly targeting him even for the smallest things. Let's break it down:

"How long will you not look away from me...": Job feels constantly scrutinized by God. He wants God to take a break from watching him so intently, to give him some respite. The imagery suggests a feeling of being under a spotlight, unable to escape God's gaze.

"...nor leave me alone...": He craves solitude and freedom from divine observation and intervention. Job feels God is not only watching but actively intervening in his life, making his suffering worse.

"...until I swallow down my spittle?": This is the key to understanding the verse. "Swallowing down spittle" refers to a trivial act. It highlights how Job feels God is persecuting him for the most insignificant things. It's a rhetorical question expressing incredulity and despair. "Can't you even leave me alone until I swallow my spit?" is the implicit meaning. It emphasizes the absurdity of the relentless focus on his suffering, even the smallest, most ordinary moments of his existence.

In essence, Job is saying:

"God, how long will you continue to watch me so closely and not give me any peace? Are you going to keep tormenting me even over something as insignificant as swallowing my own spit? Why can't you leave me alone?"

Key Concepts:

Job's suffering: Job is undergoing immense physical and emotional suffering, and he believes it's unjust.
God's scrutiny: He feels like God is constantly watching and judging him.
Triviality: The "spittle" is a symbol of something minor and insignificant.
Frustration and Despair: He's exasperated and feels like God is unfairly targeting him.
The Problem of Evil/Suffering: This verse touches on the classic theological question of why a just and powerful God allows suffering in the world.

In summary, Job 7:19 is a powerful expression of Job's feeling of being unjustly tormented by God, even for the most trivial of things, and his desperate plea for some relief.

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