Job 19:17

My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body.

Job 19:17 (KJV)

Context

Job speaks from deep suffering. He has lost wealth, health, and children, and his friends accuse him of hidden sin. In this verse, he describes how his affliction has broken even his closest family bonds. His trial is not only physical but also deeply social and emotional, leaving him isolated from those who should be nearest.

Meaning

“My breath is strange to my wife” means his wife finds his breath repulsive or unfamiliar. This may point to a physical illness that made his breath offensive, or it may be a picture of how suffering changed him in her eyes. The second part, “though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body,” shows that Job pleaded with his wife, perhaps on behalf of their children, but his words did not restore their closeness. His own children, part of his body, now seem distant from him. The verse reveals the totality of his anguish, which has alienated him not only from his friends but also from his own family.

Biblical connections

Job’s isolation echoes the experience of other faithful sufferers. In Psalm 38:11, David says his friends and relatives stand far from him because of his affliction. Both passages show that severe trial can separate a person from those who should be nearest. Such separation is a key part of the trial, reminding readers that suffering can create a sense of abandonment even by loved ones.

Application

When suffering lasts long, relationships often feel the strain. Family members may not understand the pain, and the sufferer may feel alone. This verse encourages believers to be patient with loved ones during trials and to remember that such distance does not mean God has abandoned them. It also calls for compassion toward those who are afflicted, recognizing that their withdrawal may be a sign of deep hurt.

Reflection

Job’s honesty about his pain is a model for prayer. He does not hide his hurt from God. Even when family bonds weaken, believers can bring their loneliness to the Lord, who remains near to the brokenhearted. This lament teaches that expressing anguish to God is an act of faith, not weakness.