Job 7:15 — Word Study
WLCוַתִּבְחַ֣ר מַחֲנָ֣ק נַפְשִׁ֑י מָ֝֗וֶת מֵֽעַצְמוֹתָֽי׃
BSAso that Inephesh would preferbâchar▸ [choosing to embrace] stranglingmachănaq△ [choking, a mode of death] and deathmâveth [the end of life, separation from God] over my life in this bodyʻetsem [existence, being, my bones, physical form]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַתִּבְחַ֣ר | and it chose | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| מַחֲנָ֣ק | strangling | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| נַפְשִׁ֑י | self my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| מָ֝֗וֶת | death | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מֵֽעַצְמוֹתָֽי׃ | more than bones my | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body. |
| KJV | So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. |
| ASV | So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than these my bones. |
| YLT | And my soul chooseth strangling, Death rather than my bones. |
| WEB | so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones. |
| BBE | So that a hard death seems better to my soul than my pains. |
Translations agree on the essence of Job's preference for death, with no significant differences noted.
The structure is straightforward, with a main clause followed by two subordinate phrases detailing what is preferred and in comparison to what.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּחַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 5 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 7:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Lamentgenerated
Job 7:15 reveals Job's profound anguish as he grapples with his suffering. He feels overwhelmed by his circumstances and expresses a desire for death over enduring his current state. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job questions the purpose of his existence and the nature of his suffering, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 17:23 | When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. |
| 2 | Matthew 27:5 | So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָּחַר, va.tiv.Chargenerated
The verb בָּחַר (bachar) means 'to choose' or 'to select'. It indicates an active decision-making process, often in the context of divine or human choices. In this verse, Job uses it to express a preference for death over life, highlighting the severity of his despair.
The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person feminine singular suggests an ongoing action or state, emphasizing Job's continuous struggle with his circumstances and his choice in the moment of his lament.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase prefer to convey Job's choice.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תִּבְחַ֣ר (tivchar), meaning 'and it chose', governs the entire clause. The structure emphasizes Job's choice, with the objects מַחֲנָק (machanaq) and מָוֶת () following it, indicating what he prefers.
The Hebrew word order places the verb first, highlighting Job's active decision in his lament.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בָּחַר as ἀπαλλάχεις, which suggests a focus on the act of escaping or being freed from life. This choice reflects an interpretation that emphasizes Job's desire to be released from his suffering.
This translation indicates a slight widening of the meaning, as it frames Job's choice in terms of liberation rather than mere preference.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 7:15 shows Job in deep despair, saying he would rather choose strangling and death than continue living in his current suffering. This verse captures his emotional turmoil and desire for relief from pain.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job expresses a wish to escape his suffering, indicating that he finds life unbearable in his current state.
Job is overwhelmed by his pain and the feeling of abandonment, leading him to desire death over enduring further suffering.
Expressions of deep despair and questioning of life are found in various parts of the Bible, reflecting human struggles with suffering.
Job's candid expression of his feelings invites readers to acknowledge and confront their own struggles and emotions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond to moments of deep despair in my own life?
- What can I learn from Job's willingness to express his pain and struggles?
- In what ways can I support others who are experiencing similar feelings of hopelessness?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of life and suffering?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Gregory the Dialogist and Olympiodorus of Alexandria reflect on Job's lament, discussing the implications of his choice between life and death.
So that my soul chooseth hanging and my bones death. What is then represented by the soul but the bent of the soul, and by the bones, the strength of the flesh? Now every thing that is hung is assuredly lifted up from things beneath;Early Church Fathers on Job 7 →
“I beg of you. Take away my life. Deliver me from my pains through death. In fact, you did not create me immortal. So … may [I] enjoy quiet and tranquility in the future. I do not demand, O Lord, anything contrary to your decree.Early Church Fathers on Job 7 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 7:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSo that my soul chooseth strangling,.... Not to strangle himself, as Ahithophel did, or to be strangled by others, this being a kind of death inflicted on capital offenders; but rather, as Mr.
Read John Gill on Job 7 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySo that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. My soul chooseth strangling.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 7 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleChooseth; not simply and in itself, but comparatively, rather than such a wretched life. Strangling; the most violent, so it be but a certain and sudden death. Rather than my life, Heb. than my bones, i.e. than my body, formerly the soul’ s dear and desired companion; or than to be in the body, which commonly consists of skin, and flesh, and bones, but in Job was in a manner nothing but a bundle of boiles; for his skin was every where broken, and his flesh was quite consumed, as he oft complains, and his bones also were not free from pain and torment; for as Satan’ s commission reached to Job’ s bones, , so doubtless his malice and wicked design would engage him to execute it to the utmost.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 7 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 7:15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.Ver. 15. So that my soul chooseth strangling] i.e. Quamvis durissimam sed praesentissimam mortem, any violent or ignominious death, as long as it were a speedy death. Hippocrates telleth us, that many have been so frightened with dreams and apparitions, that they have hanged themselves, leaped into deep pits, or otherwise committed suicide. Let those that either have not been so terrified, or so tempted, or so deserted of God, bless him for that mercy. And death rather than life] Heb. Rather than my bones; that is, any kind of death rather than such a body, which is now nothing else but a bag of bones; or than…
Read John Trapp on Job 7 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) So that my soul maketh choice of strangling and death rather than a life like this. Literally, than these my bones, or, as some take it, a death by these my members: a death inflicted by myself, suicide.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 7 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. Chooseth strangling] It is very likely that he felt, in those interrupted and dismal slumbers, an oppression and difficulty of breathing something like the incubus or nightmare; and, distressing as this was, he would prefer death by this means to any longer life in such miseries.
Read AdamClarke on Job 7 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. Consequence of the preceding, Job 7:14. chooseth strangling] A sense of choking is one of the accompaniments of the disease, which is said to end sometimes in actual suffocation. Job refers to this symptom, saying that he is driven to desire that it might be really fatal. The parallel word death in the next clause shews that this is what he is driven to wish for, but he selects this form of death as one incidental to his disease, and one with which he had perhaps felt himself more than once threatened. death rather than my life] lit. death rather than these my bones. So he describes the emaciated skeleton to which he was reduced.
Read Cambridge on Job 7 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSo that my soul - So that I; the soul being put for himself. Chooseth strangling - Dr.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 7 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.
so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.
so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.
so that I would prefer strangling, and death more than life.
Tyndale line
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than these my bones.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than these my bones.
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
Therefore my soule chuseth rather to be strangled and to die, then to be in my bones.
Strictly literal
So that my soul chooseth strangling, death, rather than my bones.
And my soul chooseth strangling, Death rather than my bones.
And my soul chooses strangling, || Death rather than my bones.
So that my soul would choose strangling, death rather than these limbs of mine.
so that I would choose strangling and death rather than preserving these bones of mine.
From the Latin
So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death.
Simplified
that I would rather be strangled—I would rather die than become just a bag of bones.
So that a hard death seems better to my soul than my pains.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads וַתִּבְחַ֣ר מַחֲנָ֣ק נַפְשִׁ֑י מָ֝֗וֶת מֵֽעַצְמוֹתָֽי׃, while the Septuagint matches 3 of the 5 words, maintaining the essence of Job's lament but differing in word order and structure.
וַתִּבְחַ֣ר מַחֲנָ֣ק נַפְשִׁ֑י מָ֝֗וֶת מֵֽעַצְמוֹתָֽי׃
3 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 7:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
בָּחַר (bachar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to choose or select. It encompasses actions like examining and trying, indicating both divine and human choices. The word can appear in various forms, such as being chosen or selected. It is used in contexts of making decisions, often with specific prepositions indicating the nature of the choice.
בָּחַר vb. choose
Qal
with בְּ,
divine choice
man’s choice
with אֲשֶׁר:
divine choice
man’s choice
with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for
with acc. and מִן, choose, select from
acc.
divine choice
man’s choice
with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction
with לְ of acc. chosen
test, try
Niph. to be chosen
Pu. chosen, selected
base
H977 בָּחַר examine, try .. examine, scrutinize, try
. prove, test, try
. to be tried, proved
. the trial has been made
977 bachar baw-khar'
a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication)
select:--acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent,
join, be rather, require.
בָּחַר (ba.char) — to choose.
1) to choose, elect, decide for
1a) (Qal) to choose
1b) (Niphal) to be chosen
1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
מַחֲנָק (machanaq) refers to strangling or suffocation, particularly as a mode of death. The entries indicate it is derived from a root meaning 'to choke.' The only specific verse reference provided is Job 7:15.
מַחֲנָק n.[m.] strangling, suffocation, as a mode of death Jb 7:15
ref
H4267 מַחֲנָק, מַחֲנַק
4267 machanaq makh-an-ak'
from 2614: choking:--strangling.
see HEBREW for 02614
מַחֲנָק (ma.cha.naq) — strangling.
1) strangling, suffocation
1a) as a mode of death
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
stran'-g'-ling.
See PUNISHMENTS.
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
מָ֫וֶת (maveth) means 'death' and encompasses various aspects such as natural or violent death, the state of being dead, and the realm of the dead (hades). It can also refer to pestilence or ruin. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to die' and has an Aramaic equivalent, מוֹת (mot).
מָ֫וֶת 161 n.m. death
death, opp. life
death by violence
state of death or place of death
base
H4194 מָ֫וֶת death
4194 maveth maw'-veth
from 4191; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead,
their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence,
ruin:--(be) dead((-ly)), death, die(-d).
see HEBREW for 04191
מָ֫וֶת (ma.vet) — death.
1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead
1a) death
1b) death by violence (as a penalty)
1c) state of death, place of death
Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
(maweth; thanatos):
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND FIGURATIVE VIEW
The word "Death" is used in the sense of
(1) the process of dying (Ge 21:16);
(2) the period of decease (Ge 27:7);
(3) as a possible synonym for poison (2Ki 4:40);
(4) as descriptive of person in danger of perishing (Jud 15:18; "in deaths oft" 2Co 11:23). In this sense the shadow of death is a familiar expression in Job, the Psalms and the Prophets;
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in Scripture: (1.) “The dust shall return to the earth as it was” (Eccl. 12:7).
(2.) “Thou takest away their breath, they die” (Ps. 104:29).
(3.) It is the dissolution of “our earthly house of this tabernacle” (2 Cor. 5:1); the “putting off this tabernacle” (2 Pet. 1:13, 14).
(4.) Being “unclothed” (2 Cor. 5:3, 4).
(5.) “Falling on sleep” (Ps. 76:5; Jer. 51:39;
Is taken in Scripture, first, for the separation of body and soul, the first death, Ge 25:11; secondly, for alienation from God, and exposure to his wrath, 1Jo 3:14, etc.; thirdly, for the second death, that of eternal damnation. Death was the penalty affixed to Adam’s transgression, Ge 2:17 3:19; and all his posterity are transgressors, and share the curse inflicted upon him. CHRIST is "our life." All believers share his life, spiritually and eternally; and though sin and bodily is taken away, and in the resurrection the last enemy shall be trampled under foot, Ro 5:12-21 1Co 15:1-58.
עֶ֫צֶם (etsem) primarily means 'bone' but extends to concepts of substance and self. It can refer to the physical body, limbs, or essence. The word is derived from a root related to strength, indicating a connection between physicality and identity.
עֶ֫צֶם 125 n.f. bone, substance, self
base
H6106 עֶ֫צֶם bone, substance, self
6106 `etsem eh'tsem
from 6105; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body;
figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame:--body,
bone, X life, (self-)same, strength, X very.
see HEBREW for 06105
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone.
: bone/limb
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: same.
: same/very
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: body.
: body
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp1bs