Job 7:17 Meaning and Explanation
“What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Job marvels, almost in protest, that God should pay such close attention to frail man.
What Does Job 7:17 Mean?
Job echoes a question asked elsewhere in Scripture in wonder, but he asks it under the weight of suffering. Why should God magnify man, setting His very heart upon so small and frail a creature?
In Job's mouth the question carries an edge: he feels the burden of being so closely regarded by God. Yet the words point to a profound truth the rest of Scripture celebrates. That the Maker of all should set His heart on human beings is the very wonder of grace. What Job experiences here as a heavy gaze is, in the fuller light, the astonishing love of a God who counts every person worthy of His attention.
Job 7:17 in the Original Language
enosh (אֱנוֹשׁ), 'man' -- mortal humanity, stressing human frailty and weakness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 7:17
What does Job 7:17 mean?
Job marvels, almost in protest, that God should pay such close attention to frail man.