10:1 My inner self loathes my life A common refrain in Job’s speeches (see Job 7:16; 9:21).

I want to give vent to my complaint Since his attempt to forget his complaint failed (9:27–28), Job declares that he must speak freely. He may also be responding to Bildad’s opening question in 8:2—“How long will you say these things?”

10:2 You should not condemn me Job demands that God acquit him. God may have the right to punish Job, but He should not do so without trying him.

you contend against me See note on 9:3.

10:3 good for you Job sarcastically asks God if it seems good to despise His own creation. Job uses the Hebrew word tov here (meaning “good”)—the same term God uses to describe creation in Gen 1 (see note on Gen 1:4).

you smile over the schemes of the wicked Job blatantly accuses God of injustice. Job accuses God of favoring the wicked in addition to oppressing him, an innocent man.

10:4 do you see as human beings see Job sarcastically asks God if He is subject to human limitations. He contends that God will only find iniquity or sin in him if He considers Job’s situation from the limited perspective of a human being.

10:7 your knowledge that I am not guilty Job now ends his sarcastic questions (Job 10:4–5). He observes God’s unlimited knowledge, indicating God should know of his innocence.

10:8 Your hands fashioned Job appeals to God as creator (vv. 8–17). He laments that God made him only to destroy him. He contends that a creator should care for his creation, but God uses His power to show hostility and cruelty.

10:9 remember Job calls on God to remember that He created him. Petitions for God to remember (zakhar) are common in ot laments. The sufferer petitions God to remember and restore or deliver them (compare Job 7:7 and note).

10:11 you knit me together See v. 8 and note.

10:12 life and loyal love God did not simply give Job life—He blessed him with His steadfast love (chesed).

Chesed Word Study

10:13 this was your purpose Job accuses God of planning his suffering all along. He argues that God’s motive in creating him was to afflict him and all the kindness shown throughout his life (see v. 12) was calculated.

10:14 you would be watching me Job feels God is closely watching him, waiting for him to sin. This negative watchfulness contrasts with the positive in v. 12, where God’s watchfulness protected Job.

10:15 I dare not lift my head Even if Job is innocent, he is so disgraced by his suffering that he cannot lift his head. A lifted head was a sign of pride and respect (Gen 40:20; Psa 27:6), while a lowered head signified shame and disgrace (Judg 8:28; Zech 1:21). In the following speech, Zophar claims Job’s repentance would allow him to lift his face (Job 11:15).

10:16 you would hunt me as the lion If Job lifts his head, he assumes God will continue to assault him. The image of a lion hunting its prey is common in the psalms (Pss 7:2; 10:9; 57:4), the lions representing the enemies of the psalmists. Here, the enemy afflicting Job is God.

10:20 let him turn from me Using surprisingly direct language (see note on Job 10:1), Job again demands that God leave him alone (7:16). This demand follows Job’s repeated despair that he cannot have his wish never to have been born (vv. 18–19; compare 3:1–11; 7:16–17).

10:21 darkness and deep shadow Refers to Sheol (see 3:13 and note; 14:13 and note; compare 3:4 and note).

10:22 the land of darkness, like the darkness of Expresses the deep gloom of Sheol, the realm of the dead (see 14:13 and note). Job uses five different words for darkness in vv. 21–22.