King James Version

What Does Job 7:17 Mean?

Job 7:17 in the King James Version says “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” — study this verse from Job chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?”

Job 7:17 · KJV

Context

15

So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. life: Heb. bones

16

I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.

17

What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

18

And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

19

How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

Read Job 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

Job's anguished question inverts Psalm 8:4's worshipful wonder ("What is man, that thou art mindful of him?") into bitter complaint. The Hebrew enosh ("man") emphasizes human frailty and mortality, unlike adam (humanity) or ish (individual man). Gadal ("magnify") means to make great or important - Job questions why God pays such intense attention to insignificant humanity.

Sum leb ("set thine heart") means to direct attention, care, or purpose toward something. Job's complaint: if humans are so insignificant, why does God obsessively scrutinize them, especially to inflict suffering? This reflects Job's perception of God as hostile examiner rather than loving Father. The following verses (vv. 18-19) intensify this: God inspects humanity every morning, tests every moment, never looking away even briefly.

Theologically, this passage wrestles with divine attention's double-edged nature. God's care can feel like oppressive surveillance when suffering seems undeserved. Yet the incarnation provides the ultimate answer: God magnifies humanity by becoming human (Philippians 2:6-8), setting His heart upon us redemptively. Christ transforms Job's complaint into gospel wonder - God does indeed magnify humans by granting them dignity, attention, and salvation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Job 7 occurs in Job's response to Eliphaz's first speech, expressing the sufferer's desperation after losing children, wealth, and health. The question "What is man?" reflects ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition's contemplation of human significance in the cosmos.

Mesopotamian texts like the "Babylonian Theodicy" and Egyptian wisdom literature similarly ponder human frailty and divine-human relationships. However, Job's bitterness subverts typical ancient worship, where mortals praised deities for noticing them. Job sarcastically reverses this: divine attention brings torment rather than blessing.

Psalm 8's contrasting use of similar language ("What is man, that thou art mindful of him?") shows worship theology where God's attention dignifies humanity despite our smallness - crowned with glory and honor, given dominion over creation. Job's inversion reveals suffering's power to distort our perception of God's character. The New Testament resolution appears in Hebrews 2:6-9, quoting Psalm 8 and applying it to Christ, who was "made a little lower than the angels" to taste death for everyone. God's "setting His heart" on humanity culminates in incarnation and redemption, answering Job's complaint with divine self-giving love.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's inversion of Psalm 8 illustrate suffering's power to distort our perception of God's character and intentions?
  2. What does the contrast between Job 7:17 and Psalm 8:4 teach us about the different perspectives on divine attention - burden versus blessing?
  3. In what ways does the Incarnation provide the ultimate answer to Job's question about why God 'magnifies' humanity?
  4. How should we pastorally respond when sufferers express feelings of oppressive divine scrutiny rather than loving care?
  5. What does Hebrews 2:6-9's application of Psalm 8 to Christ reveal about God's purpose in 'setting His heart' upon humanity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
מָֽה1 of 8
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֱ֭נוֹשׁ2 of 8

“What is man”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

כִּ֣י3 of 8
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תְגַדְּלֶ֑נּוּ4 of 8

“that thou shouldest magnify”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

וְכִי5 of 8
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תָשִׁ֖ית6 of 8

“him and that thou shouldest set”

H7896

to place (in a very wide application)

אֵלָ֣יו7 of 8
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לִבֶּֽךָ׃8 of 8

“thine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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 7:17 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 7:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 2:6Psalms 8:4Psalms 144:3Job 34:14-15Job 7:12

Test Your Knowledge

Job 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Job 7 with CommentaryAll Job ChaptersComplete Job QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes