Job 19:15 (KJV)

What does Job 19:15 mean?

Job 19:15 describes how even the people who live in Job’s own house, including his female servants, now treat him like a stranger and a foreigner. Job feels completely isolated and rejected by those who should be closest to him.

Job is speaking here, describing his deep sense of abandonment during his suffering. He is not just talking about friends or distant relatives, but about those who share his home and daily life. The verse shows how Job’s suffering has led to a total breakdown of his relationships, leaving him feeling like an outsider among his own people.

The Hebrew behind Job 19:15

• "dwell" (גּוּר, gur): This word often means to sojourn or live as a guest, highlighting that those in Job’s house are not just visitors but people who reside with him, making their rejection even more painful.
• "stranger" (זָר, zar): This word means someone who is foreign or unfamiliar. Job is saying he is treated as if he does not belong, even among his household.
• "alien" (נָכְרִי, nokhri): This term refers to a foreigner or someone from outside the community. Job’s use of both "stranger" and "alien" emphasizes how completely he feels cut off, not just ignored but seen as someone who does not fit in at all.
• "sight" (עַיִן, ayin): Literally "eye," this word points to how others perceive Job. He is not just ignored, but actively viewed as an outsider.

Why Job 19:15 matters

• Job 19:15 highlights the depth of Job’s isolation, showing that his suffering affects not only his health and wealth but also his closest relationships.
• The verse clarifies that Job’s rejection is not limited to friends or neighbors; even his own household treats him as an outsider, intensifying his sense of loss.
• This detail helps readers understand the emotional and social cost of Job’s trials, setting up the context for his later pleas for understanding and compassion.