Old Testament
Job 10:17
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
'You renew your witnesses against me and increase your indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.'
Compare translations
Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.
What Job 10:17 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Job expresses his deep sense of suffering and injustice. He feels as though God is constantly bringing accusations against him, as if there are witnesses testifying against him. Job perceives that God’s anger is growing, and he feels overwhelmed by the changes in his life and the ongoing struggles he faces, which he likens to a war. This reflects Job's emotional turmoil and his struggle to understand why he is experiencing such intense suffering, despite his faithfulness. He is grappling with the feeling that he is under attack, not just from external circumstances but also from God Himself. Job's plea highlights the human experience of feeling abandoned or targeted during times of distress, raising questions about divine justice and the nature of suffering. It reveals the complexity of Job's relationship with God, as he seeks to understand the reasons behind his afflictions while still yearning for a sense of justice and relief.
How to apply Job 10:17 to your life
When facing overwhelming challenges, it’s important to express our feelings honestly to God, just as Job did. Acknowledging our pain can lead to deeper understanding and healing. We should remember that questioning our circumstances is a part of faith, and God welcomes our honesty.
Curated for this public verse page. Job Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Job 10:17
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Job 10:17
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Job
- Author
- Author unknown; events likely in the patriarchal era
- Written
- Date debated
- Genre
- Wisdom literature
- Original Audience
- All who suffer or question God
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Job 10:17 mean?
In Job 10:17, Job feels that God is constantly accusing him and increasing His anger towards him. He expresses a sense of being overwhelmed by the hardships in his life, which he compares to a battle, highlighting his emotional pain and confusion about his suffering.
What is the meaning of 'witnesses' in Job 10:17?
The 'witnesses' in Job 10:17 refer to the accusations or testimonies against Job that he feels are being presented by God. Job perceives these witnesses as part of his suffering, suggesting he feels unjustly judged and attacked.
How does Job express his feelings in Job 10:17?
In Job 10:17, Job openly shares his feelings of being accused and overwhelmed by God's anger. He uses vivid imagery of witnesses and war to convey his distress and the intensity of his suffering.
What themes are present in Job 10:17?
Job 10:17 touches on themes of suffering, divine justice, emotional turmoil, and the struggle of faithfulness amidst adversity. It highlights the complexity of Job's relationship with God during his trials.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.