Job 16:13 Meaning and Explanation
“His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Job feels surrounded by archers, his inmost parts pierced without mercy.
What Does Job 16:13 Mean?
The image of the target continues: arrows fly from every side, piercing Job's kidneys, his innermost self, while his gall spills on the ground. The 'reins' were thought to be the seat of conscience and feeling, so the wound reaches his very core.
Job feels that the assault is relentless and that no mercy is shown. Even so, he keeps speaking to and about the God he believes is wounding him, never turning to curse or to deny. The cry of the pierced heart still rises Godward, and Scripture honors it as prayer.
Job 16:13 in the Original Language
kilyah (כִּלְיָה), ''reins'' -- the kidneys, regarded as the seat of the deepest emotions and conscience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 16:13
What does Job 16:13 mean?
Job feels surrounded by archers, his inmost parts pierced without mercy.