King James Version

What Does Job 16:16 Mean?

Job 16:16 in the King James Version says “My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;” — study this verse from Job chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;”

Job 16:16 · KJV

Context

14

He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.

15

I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

16

My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

17

Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

18

O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

Read Job 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My face is foul with weeping (חָמַרְמְרוּ פָנַי מִנִּי־בֶכִי, chamarmeru fanai minni-bekhi)—The verb חָמַר (chamar) means 'to be red, inflamed, disfigured.' Job's פָּנִים (panim, 'face')—the locus of identity and honor—is destroyed by בֶּכִי (bekhi, 'weeping'). Continuous grief has physically deformed him.

And on my eyelids is the shadow of death (וְעַל עַפְעַפַּי צַלְמָוֶת, ve'al 'ap'appai tsalmaveth)—The poetic word צַלְמָוֶת (tsalmaveth) combines צֵל (tsel, 'shadow') and מָוֶת (maveth, 'death')—deep darkness, death's gloom. Job is not yet dead, but death's shadow already covers his עַפְעַפַּי ('ap'appai, 'eyelids')—his very vision is eclipsed. This imagery pervades Psalms (23:4, 'valley of the shadow of death') and anticipates Christ's Gethsemane agony, where His 'sweat became as great drops of blood' (Luke 22:44).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'shadow of death' (צַלְמָוֶת) appears 18 times in Job—more than any other book. Ancient Near Eastern literature used shadow imagery for the underworld (Sheol/the grave). Job lives in liminal space: not dead, yet death-shadowed. This existential position—suspended between life and death—defines profound suffering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does living under 'the shadow of death' differ from death itself, and why might it be harder?
  2. When have you experienced grief so consuming it physically marked your face and vision?
  3. How does Job's 'shadow of death' on his eyelids connect to Jesus sweating blood in Gethsemane's darkness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
פָּנַ֣י1 of 7

“My face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

חֳ֭מַרְמְרהּ2 of 7

“is foul”

H2560

properly, to boil up; hence, to glow (with redness)

מִנִּי3 of 7
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

בֶ֑כִי4 of 7

“with weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

וְעַ֖ל5 of 7
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עַפְעַפַּ֣י6 of 7

“and on my eyelids”

H6079

an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray

צַלְמָֽוֶת׃7 of 7

“is the shadow of death”

H6757

shade of death, i.e., the grave (figuratively, calamity)

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 16:16 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 16:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 1:16Psalms 102:3-5Mark 14:34Jonah 2:1-10Psalms 102:9Job 17:7

Test Your Knowledge

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