King James Version

What Does Job 10:17 Mean?

Job 10:17 in the King James Version says “Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me. witnes...” — study this verse from Job chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Job 10:17 · KJV

Context

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

18

Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!

19

I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Job describes escalating divine prosecution: 'Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.' The verb 'renewest' (chaddesh, חָדַשׁ) means to make new or refresh—God produces fresh evidence against Job. 'Witnesses' (edim, עֵדִים) refers to legal testimony. God 'increasest' (rabah, רָבָה) His 'indignation' (kaas, כַּעַס, vexation or anger). The phrase 'changes and war' (chalipot vetsaba, חֲלִיפוֹת וְצָבָא) depicts successive waves of troops—military imagery of relentless assault.

Job experiences God's prosecution as never-ending—when one set of afflictions passes, another arrives. Like military campaign with rotating fresh troops, Job faces constant attack while he grows weary. The escalation seems unjust: instead of single trial, Job endures multiplying accusations and renewed assaults. Divine prosecution appears vindictive rather than just.

Christ experienced this escalating prosecution—arrest, ecclesiastical trial, civil trial, Herod's court, Pilate's court, mocking, scourging, crucifixion. Each step multiplied injustice against the innocent. But Christ's submission to unjust escalation accomplished our justification. The renewed witnesses against Christ were false; the renewed witnesses for us are faithful (1 John 2:1).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient warfare involved rotating fresh troops to maintain assault pressure while defenders grew exhausted. Legal proceedings could involve multiple witnesses and successive charges. Job combines military and legal imagery to describe his experience of overwhelming, escalating divine prosecution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we endure when trials escalate rather than resolve?
  2. What does Job's experience of renewed witnesses teach about suffering's cumulative toll?
  3. In what ways did Christ's enduring escalating injustice vindicate God's justice while accomplishing our justification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
תְּחַדֵּ֬שׁ1 of 9

“Thou renewest”

H2318

to be new; causatively, to rebuild

עֵדֶ֨יךָ׀2 of 9

“thy witnesses”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

נֶגְדִּ֗י3 of 9
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

וְתֶ֣רֶב4 of 9

“against me and increasest”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

כַּֽ֭עַשְׂךָ5 of 9

“thine indignation”

H3708

vexation

עִמָּדִ֑י6 of 9

“upon me”

H5978

along with

חֲלִיפ֖וֹת7 of 9

“changes”

H2487

alternation

וְצָבָ֣א8 of 9

“and war”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

עִמִּֽי׃9 of 9
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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 10:17 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 10:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 1:21Job 16:8Psalms 55:19Jeremiah 48:11Zephaniah 1:12Job 16:11-16

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