so that I would prefer strangling and deathIn this phrase, Job expresses a deep sense of despair and hopelessness. The imagery of "strangling" suggests a feeling of being suffocated by his circumstances, a metaphor for the intense suffering he is enduring. This reflects the broader theme of the Book of Job, where Job grapples with the problem of suffering and the justice of God. The desire for death over life is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in Elijah's plea in
1 Kings 19:4 and Jonah's lament in
Jonah 4:3, where both prophets express a wish to die rather than continue in their distress. This highlights a common human response to overwhelming suffering, yet it also sets the stage for God's eventual response and revelation to Job.
over my life in this body
The phrase "in this body" emphasizes the physical aspect of Job's suffering. Job's afflictions are not just spiritual or emotional but are deeply physical, as described in earlier chapters where he suffers from painful sores and other ailments. This underscores the biblical understanding of the human being as a unity of body and spirit, where physical suffering can deeply impact one's spiritual and emotional state. The New Testament also addresses the struggles of life in the body, as seen in Paul's writings inRomans 7:24, where he laments the "body of death" and longs for deliverance through Jesus Christ. This connection points to the hope of resurrection and redemption, where believers look forward to a future where suffering is no more, as promised inRevelation 21:4.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.
2.
UzThe land where Job lived. It is often associated with the region east of Israel, though its exact location is uncertain.
3.
Job's SufferingThe context of this verse is Job's lament over his intense physical and emotional suffering, which leads him to express a preference for death over his current state of misery.
Teaching Points
Understanding SufferingJob's expression of preferring death highlights the depth of human suffering and the struggle to find meaning in it. It is important to acknowledge the reality of suffering in our lives and the lives of others.
The Cry for ReliefJob's lament is a raw and honest cry for relief. It teaches us that it is okay to bring our deepest pains and desires before God, trusting that He hears us even in our darkest moments.
Hope Beyond DespairWhile Job expresses a desire for death, the broader account of Scripture points to hope and redemption. We are reminded to hold onto the hope that God provides, even when circumstances seem unbearable.
The Role of CommunityJob's friends initially come to comfort him, though they later fail in their support. This highlights the importance of being present and compassionate towards those who are suffering.
Faith in TrialsJob's account encourages us to maintain faith in God, even when we do not understand our circumstances. Trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness is crucial during trials.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 7:15?
2.How does Job 7:15 reflect Job's struggle with despair and suffering?
3.What can we learn about human suffering from Job 7:15?
4.How does Job 7:15 connect to God's sovereignty in Job's life?
5.How can Job 7:15 guide us in supporting those in despair?
6.What does Job 7:15 teach about finding hope amidst life's trials?
7.What does Job 7:15 reveal about human suffering and despair?
8.How does Job 7:15 challenge the belief in a loving God?
9.What historical context influences the message of Job 7:15?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 7?
11.What does 'To dust you shall return' mean?
12.Psalm 49:12 likens humans to animals in their mortality--does this contradict the doctrine of an immortal soul seen elsewhere in Scripture?
13.Could Job 7:9's comparison of death to a vanishing cloud be viewed as scientifically or logically inconsistent with modern understandings of matter and energy conservation?
14.Acts 13:36-37: Paul claims David 'saw corruption' while Jesus did not; how is this consistent with other scriptural passages about bodily decay and resurrection?What Does Job 7:15 Mean
Context-Job 7 sits in the middle of Job’s first reply to his friends. He has lost children, possessions, health, and public respect (Job 1:13-19; 2:7-8; 30:9-10).
- He tells God that his nights are filled with tossing and terrifying dreams (Job 7:4, 14). The buildup of misery explains the outburst of verse 15.
- Honest lament is nothing new in Scripture; comparePsalm 6:6 orLamentations 3:1-18, where faithful people voice real anguish while still turning to God.
I would prefer- “Prefer” signals deliberate comparison. Job weighs two options—continued existence in suffering or immediate release—and judges the latter “better.”
- Similar statements of yearning for release appear inJonah 4:3,Jeremiah 20:18, and even Paul’s tension inPhilippians 1:23-24.
- Job is not prescribing suicide; he is laying bare his heart before the Lord, echoingPsalm 142:2, “I pour out my complaint before Him.”
Strangling and death- “Strangling” paints a graphic, literal picture of breath cut off. Coupled with “death,” it stresses how badly Job wants the pain to stop (Job 3:20-22).
- Ancient examples of deliberate strangling—Ahithophel in2 Samuel 17:23—show the imagery was recognizable and shocking.
- Other saints reached similar lows: Moses begged God to end his life (Numbers 11:14-15), and Elijah did the same (1 Kings 19:4). Yet each was met by God’s sustaining grace (Psalm 103:13-14).
Over my life in this body- Job’s skin is covered with worms and scabs, his flesh festers, and his days pass in hopelessness (Job 7:5-6). Physical torment drives his comparison.
- Paul calls the human frame an “earthly tent” groaning for release (2 Corinthians 5:1-4) and cries, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).
- Scripture upholds the sanctity of the body (Genesis 2:7;Psalm 139:13-16); Job’s words reveal pain’s power, not a denial of life’s value. Suffering in a fallen world can distort perspective (Romans 8:20-22), yet God remains the “Father of compassion and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
summaryJob 7:15—“so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body”—is a literal, anguished confession of a righteous man pushed to the brink. The verse demonstrates:
- the depth of real human suffering,
- the honesty God invites in prayerful lament, and
- the truth that, even when death looks preferable, hope ultimately rests in the Lord who will redeem and restore (Job 19:25-27;Romans 8:18;James 5:11).
(15)
So that my soul maketh choice of strangling and death rather than a life like this. Literally,
than these my bones,or, as some take it,
a death by these my members:a death inflicted by myself, suicide.
Verse 15. -
So that my soul chooseth strangling;
i.e. "so that I would prefer strangling to such horrid dreams," which are worse than any physical sufferings. Some see here a reference to suicide: but this is s very forced explanation. Suicide, as already observed, seems never even to have occurred to the thoughts of Job (see the comment on Job 6:8).
And death rather than my life; literally,
rather than my bones. Death, that is, would be preferable to such a life as he leads, which is that of a living skeleton.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
so that Iנַפְשִׁ֑י(nap̄·šî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315:A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotionwould preferוַתִּבְחַ֣ר(wat·tiḇ·ḥar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 977:To try, selectstranglingמַחֲנָ֣ק(ma·ḥă·nāq)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4267:Strangling, suffocationand deathמָ֝֗וֶת(mā·weṯ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194:Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruinover my life in this body.מֵֽעַצְמוֹתָֽי׃(mê·‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāy)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6106:A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame
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OT Poetry: Job 7:15 So that my soul chooses strangling death (Jb) 
