What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

JOB 7:17KJV
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Job 7:17 (KJV)

What does Job 7:17 mean?

Job 7:17 asks why God would pay such close attention to human beings, wondering what makes people significant enough for God to notice or care for them. Job is expressing amazement—and perhaps confusion or frustration—that God would "magnify" humans or set His heart on them, given how small and troubled human life can seem.

Job is speaking directly to God during his suffering, questioning why God would focus so much on people, especially when Job feels overwhelmed by hardship. In the context of Job’s lament, this verse highlights Job’s sense of human frailty and his struggle to understand God’s attention in the midst of pain.

The Hebrew behind Job 7:17

  • "man" (אֱנוֹשׁ, 'enosh): This word often emphasizes human weakness or mortality, which fits Job’s focus on how fragile people are.
  • "magnify" (גָּדַל, gadal): This means to make great or important. Job wonders why God would treat humans as significant or worthy of such attention.
  • "set" (שִׁית, shith): This means to place or direct. Here, it describes God intentionally turning His focus or care toward humans.
  • "heart" (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the center of will and emotion. Job is asking why God would deeply care about or be emotionally invested in people.

Why Job 7:17 matters

  • Job 7:17 shows that Job is not just complaining about suffering; he is wrestling with the bigger question of why God would be so involved with frail humans at all.
  • This verse echoes themes found elsewhere in the Bible, such as Psalm 8:4, but here it is voiced from a place of pain and bewilderment rather than praise.
  • Understanding the original words highlights that Job is not accusing God of neglect, but almost the opposite—he is puzzled by the intensity of God’s attention, especially when that attention seems to bring hardship.

Where else these words appear

“set” Hebrew H7896 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
  • Job 14:13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
  • Psalms 88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

“magnify” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.