Job 23:17 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Because I was not taken away before this terrible darkness came, and God has not hidden this darkness from me.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Job is saying he wishes he had died before experiencing his current suffering, since God hasn't spared him from seeing these dark times.

📚 Historical Context

In the Book of Job, Job is enduring profound suffering and loss, as he debates with his friends about the justice of God in allowing such trials. He expresses a deep yearning to directly confront God and plead his case, feeling engulfed by darkness and abandonment. This verse reflects Job's anguish that he was not spared from these hardships and that God has not revealed Himself to ease his pain.

Explore Similar Verses

Amos 5:20

Won't the day of the LORD be completely dark instead of light? Like, pitch black with absolutely zero brightness anywhere?

Job 10:22

A land of complete darkness, as dark as darkness can be; a place covered by the shadow of death, where nothing is organized or makes sense, and where even what should be light is actually darkness.

Matthew 6:23

But if your perspective is twisted and selfish, your whole life becomes dark and messed up. And if what you think is 'light' is actually darkness? That's some seriously deep darkness right there.

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