Sheol, liberated by death itself. The term “taskmaster” (nōgēš) is used of the Egyptian overseers who harassed the Israelites in bondage. These allusions to liberation from oppression suggest that initially Job identifies strongly with the oppressed. Life is a form of slavery and enforced labor (7:1–2); only death can free the sufferer from the injustice of existence. [20–22] After a total negation of his beginnings and a nostalgic look at the world of death, Job confronts the bitter reality of his