King James Version

What Does Job 10:15 Mean?

Job 10:15 in the King James Version says “If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore se...” — study this verse from Job chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;”

Job 10:15 · KJV

Context

13

And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.

14

If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

15

If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;

16

For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.

17

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me. witnesses: that is, thy plagues

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction. Job expresses profound existential despair in this verse, articulating a theological crisis where both wickedness and righteousness seem to lead to suffering. The Hebrew word translated "wicked" is rasha'ti (רָשַׁעְתִּי), and "righteous" is tsadaqti (צָדַקְתִּי). Job acknowledges that if guilty, he deserves punishment—but even if innocent, he cannot defend himself or find relief.

"Yet will I not lift up my head" reflects the posture of shame and defeat. In ancient Near Eastern culture, lifting one's head signified honor, confidence, and vindication, while a bowed head indicated disgrace. Job feels trapped: guilt brings woe, but even innocence provides no escape from affliction. The phrase "full of confusion" translates the Hebrew seva' qalon (שְׂבַע קָלוֹן), literally "satisfied/filled with disgrace." Job is saturated with humiliation, unable to comprehend why God allows his suffering.

This verse captures the inadequacy of the retribution theology held by Job's friends—that suffering always results from sin and righteousness always brings blessing. Job's experience contradicts this formula, revealing that God's purposes transcend simplistic moral calculus. His cry "see thou mine affliction" (re'eh onyi, רְאֵה עָנְיִי) appeals to God's compassion, acknowledging that only divine intervention, not human understanding or merit, can resolve his crisis.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The book of Job is set in the patriarchal period (roughly 2000-1800 BC), before the Mosaic Law, as evidenced by Job's role as family priest offering sacrifices (Job 1:5) and the absence of references to the exodus, Torah, or temple. Job lived in the land of Uz, likely in Edom or northern Arabia, making him a non-Israelite who nevertheless knew and worshiped Yahweh.

The poetry of Job reflects ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, paralleling works like the Babylonian "Ludlul Bel Nemeqi" ("I Will Praise the Lord of Wisdom") and the "Babylonian Theodicy," which also wrestle with innocent suffering. However, Job surpasses these works by rejecting easy answers and maintaining that God, though mysterious, is just and sovereign.

Job 10:15 falls within Job's second response to Bildad (Job 10). Job's friends operate from a strict retribution theology common in ancient wisdom traditions—sin causes suffering, righteousness brings prosperity. Job's speeches progressively deconstruct this worldview, demonstrating that while God is just, His ways transcend human comprehension. This prepared Israel (and all readers) for deeper understanding of suffering's role in redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Christ's innocent suffering for sinners (Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:21-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's experience challenge simplistic explanations for suffering in the Christian life?
  2. What does Job's honesty in expressing confusion and pain teach us about authentic prayer and lament?
  3. How can believers maintain trust in God's goodness when circumstances seem to contradict it?
  4. In what ways does Job's innocent suffering prefigure Christ's atoning work on the cross?
  5. How should Job's example shape our responses to those experiencing inexplicable suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אִם1 of 12
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

רָשַׁ֡עְתִּי2 of 12

“If I be wicked”

H7561

to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate

אַלְלַ֬י3 of 12

“woe”

H480

alas!

לִ֗י4 of 12
H0
וְ֭צָדַקְתִּי5 of 12

“unto me and if I be righteous”

H6663

to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)

לֹא6 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶשָּׂ֣א7 of 12

“yet will I not lift up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

רֹאשִׁ֑י8 of 12

“my head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

שְׂבַ֥ע9 of 12

“I am full”

H7649

satiated (in a pleasant or disagreeable sense)

קָ֝ל֗וֹן10 of 12

“of confusion”

H7036

disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda

וּרְאֵ֥ה11 of 12
H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עָנְיִֽי׃12 of 12

“thou mine affliction”

H6040

depression, i.e., misery

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 10:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 10:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 3:11Job 9:15Job 9:20-21Job 10:7Isaiah 6:5Psalms 25:18

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