Job 10:20 (KJV)

What does Job 10:20 mean?

Job 10:20 shows Job asking God to leave him alone for a short time so he can have a little relief before his life ends, since he feels his days are already few. Job is expressing deep weariness and longing for a brief moment of comfort in the midst of his suffering.

Job is the speaker here, addressing God directly in the middle of his intense suffering and questioning. In this verse, Job is not asking for a long life or for his troubles to be explained, but simply for a pause from his pain. The verse highlights Job’s sense of how short and difficult his life has become, and his desperate wish for even a small measure of peace.

The Hebrew behind Job 10:20

• "few" (מְעַט, me‘at): This word means "little" or "few," emphasizing how Job sees his remaining time as very limited. It adds to the sense of urgency and despair in his plea.
• "cease" (חָדַל, chadal): This word means "to stop" or "to leave off." Job is asking God to stop afflicting him, even if only for a short while.
• "comfort" (שָׁעַע, sha‘a): This word can mean "to have a moment of ease" or "to be cheered." Job is not asking for full restoration, just a brief respite from his pain.

Why Job 10:20 matters

• This verse shows Job’s honesty in prayer, revealing that it is possible to bring raw feelings and questions directly to God, even when those feelings are full of pain and confusion.
• Job’s request for a little comfort, rather than a full answer or deliverance, highlights just how desperate and worn down he is by his suffering.
• The verse connects to the larger theme of Job’s speeches, where he often reflects on the brevity and hardship of human life, and his struggle to find meaning or relief in the midst of suffering.