Job 17

17:1 My spirit is crushed: This can refer to a properly contrite attitude (Ps 51:17), but more often it connotes an unbearably sad heart (Prov 18:14).

17:2 surrounded by mockers: Laments typically describe mockery as the response of the wicked to the distress of the righteous (Pss 22:7; 69:10-12; 89:50-52). In wisdom literature, mockery is directed against the right behavior (Prov 1:22; 9:7).

17:3-5 defend my innocence, O God (literally please keep my pledge with yourself): A pledge (Hebrew ‘erabon) can be a deposit guaranteeing payment (Gen 38:17-20; Exod 22:26-27; Deut 24:10-14; see Prov 20:16; 27:13), so this might suggest atonement. It might also be another reference to Job’s desire for an advocate to plead his case (see study note on Job 16:19-21).

17:6 To spit in someone’s face was even more insulting than a slap (16:10) because spit made the person unclean (Num 12:14).

17:8-9 Some scholars view these verses as being out of place, but perhaps Job was ironically quoting his opponents’ words.

17:10-16 Job gave up on his comforters (6:15-21; 13:4-5; 16:2-3; cp. 12:2) and believed he would die a hopeless death.

17:13 to the grave (Hebrew to Sheol): The realm of the dead was visualized as a house (30:23; Ps 49:11; Eccl 12:5).

17:14 my father . . . mother . . . sister: This bitter parody of a family reunion in a graveyard shows how Job envisioned his impending death.

17:16 the grave (literally the bars of Sheol): Sheol—the abode of the dead—was seen as having a barred gate, allowing no escape.