King James Version

What Does Job 7:18 Mean?

Job 7:18 in the King James Version says “And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?” — study this verse from Job chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Job 7:18 · KJV

Context

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?

20

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Job asks why God bothers visiting humanity daily and testing 'him every moment.' The verb 'visit' (paqad, פָּקַד) means to attend to, inspect, or muster—it can denote blessing (Ruth 1:6) or judgment (Exodus 32:34). The verb 'magnify' (gadal, גָּדַל) means to make great or important. Job's question inverts Psalm 8:4: 'What is man, that thou art mindful of him?' But where David marvels at divine care, Job protests divine harassment.

The phrase 'try him every moment' (rega, רֶגַע, an instant, blink of an eye) suggests relentless, continuous testing without respite. Job experiences God's attention not as providence but as persecution. This reveals how suffering can distort our perception of God's character—the same watchful care that blesses can seem oppressive when viewed through pain's lens.

Reformed theology affirms that God's testing serves sanctification (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7). God magnifies humanity not despite our frailty but to reveal it, driving us to dependence on grace. Job's complaint receives partial vindication—God does test constantly—but the final chapters will reveal this testing's redemptive purpose.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern religions portrayed deities as capricious, sometimes blessing and sometimes harming humans arbitrarily. Job's question challenges this: Why does YHWH, the covenant God, treat him like enemies treat prey? His question assumes God should be benevolent, making the experienced malevolence more perplexing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we maintain trust when God's providential attention feels more like harassment than blessing?
  2. What does Job's inverted use of Psalm 8 teach about how suffering reshapes our theological perception?
  3. In what ways does understanding testing's sanctifying purpose transform our response to constant trials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 4 words
וַתִּפְקְדֶ֥נּוּ1 of 4

“And that thou shouldest visit”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

לִבְקָרִ֑ים2 of 4

“him every morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

לִ֝רְגָעִ֗ים3 of 4

“him every moment”

H7281

a wink (of the eyes), i.e., a very short space of time

תִּבְחָנֶֽנּוּ׃4 of 4

“and try”

H974

to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate

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 7:18 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 7:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 1:7Isaiah 38:12-13Jeremiah 9:7Job 14:3Daniel 12:10Genesis 22:1

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