Job 7:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Job pleads for pardon, sensing his life is nearly spent and his time short.
What Does Job 7:21 Mean?
Job closes this speech with a cry for forgiveness. He asks why God does not pardon his transgression and take away his iniquity, for he feels death drawing near; soon he will lie in the dust, and should God seek him, he will be gone.
Even at the brink, Job's deepest longing is to be pardoned and made right with God. That instinct is the heart's truest wisdom. The Bible lets the plea hang open here, but it does not leave it unanswered forever, for the God Job begs is the very One who delights to pardon transgression and take away iniquity, and who has power to seek and find His own even in the dust.
Job 7:21 in the Original Language
pesha (פֶּשַׁע), 'transgression' -- rebellion, a willful breaking of trust that needs pardon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 7:21
What does Job 7:21 mean?
Job pleads for pardon, sensing his life is nearly spent and his time short.