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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 23:17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/23-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/18_Job_23_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 23:17 - Job Longs for God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/23-16.htm" title="Job 23:16">◄</a> Job 23:17 <a href="/job/24-1.htm" title="Job 24:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off before the darkness, <i>neither</i> hath he covered the darkness from my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness, And He did <i>not</i> hide deep darkness from my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I am not destroyed by darkness, Nor by deep gloom <i>which</i> covers me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But I am not silenced by the darkness, Nor deep gloom which covers me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But I am not silenced by the darkness, Nor deep gloom <i>which</i> covers <i>me.</i> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But I am not silenced by the darkness, Nor thick darkness <i>which</i> covers me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But I am not silenced by the darkness [of these woes that fell on me], Nor by the thick darkness which covers my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet I am not destroyed by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet I am not destroyed by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God has covered me with darkness, but I refuse to be silent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But I am not silenced by the dark or by the thick darkness that covers my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless, I haven't been silenced because of the darkness, even when thick darkness obscures my vision." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For I have not been cut off before darkness, "" And before me He covered thick darkness.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For I have not been cut off before darkness, And before me He covered thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For I was not cut off from the face of darkness, and he covered misfortune from my face.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet I have not perished because of the threatening darkness, nor has gloom covered my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Yes, would that I had vanished in darkness, hidden by the thick gloom before me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Because I was not silenced before the darkness, and before the covering of the blackness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because I was not silenced by the presence of the darkness and by the presence of the veil of gloom <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For I knew not that darkness would come upon me, and thick darkness has covered <i>me</i> before my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/23-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=3638" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/23.htm">Job Longs for God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Yet</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I am not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6789.htm" title="6789: niṣ·mat·tî (V-Nifal-Perf-1cs) -- To put an end to, exterminate. A primitive root; to extirpate.">silenced</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê- (Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">by</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ḥō·šeḵ (N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">the darkness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/652.htm" title="652: ’ō·p̄el (N-ms) -- Darkness, gloom. From the same as 'aphel; dusk.">by the thick darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: kis·sāh- (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">that covers</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: ū·mip·pā·nay (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">my face.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6-7</a></span><br />You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths. / Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-2.htm">Lamentations 3:2-6</a></span><br />He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light. / Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long. / He has worn away my flesh and skin; He has shattered my bones. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-10.htm">Isaiah 50:10</a></span><br />Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-3.htm">Psalm 143:3</a></span><br />For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/23-4.htm">Psalm 23:4</a></span><br />Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/27-1.htm">Psalm 27:1</a></span><br />Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a></span><br />The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Psalm 139:11-12</a></span><br />If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— / even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-16.htm">Jeremiah 13:16</a></span><br />Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Micah 7:8-9</a></span><br />Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. / Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35-36</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. / While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-16.htm">Matthew 4:16</a></span><br />the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a></span><br />For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">1 John 1:5-7</a></span><br />And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered the darkness from my face.</p><p class="hdg">cut off</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-9.htm">Job 6:9</a></b></br> Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/22-20.htm">2 Kings 22:20</a></b></br> Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-1.htm">Isaiah 57:1</a></b></br> The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth <i>it</i> to heart: and merciful men <i>are</i> taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil <i>to come</i>.</p><p class="hdg">the darkness from</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-22.htm">Job 15:22</a></b></br> He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/18-6.htm">Job 18:6,18</a></b></br> The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-8.htm">Job 19:8</a></b></br> He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/10-21.htm">Black</a> <a href="/job/22-11.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/job/23-9.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/job/22-24.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/job/22-11.htm">Covers</a> <a href="/job/22-20.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/job/22-13.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/job/22-13.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/job/22-13.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/job/22-26.htm">Face</a> <a href="/job/10-22.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/exodus/14-3.htm">Hemmed</a> <a href="/job/18-10.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/job/20-8.htm">Night</a> <a href="/job/23-15.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-9.htm">Silenced</a> <a href="/job/22-14.htm">Thick</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/30-30.htm">Black</a> <a href="/job/24-7.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/job/29-4.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/job/24-7.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/job/26-9.htm">Covers</a> <a href="/job/24-6.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/job/24-14.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/job/24-16.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/job/24-17.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/job/24-15.htm">Face</a> <a href="/job/28-3.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/psalms/139-5.htm">Hemmed</a> <a href="/job/24-1.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/job/24-7.htm">Night</a> <a href="/job/26-11.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/psalms/31-18.htm">Silenced</a> <a href="/job/24-17.htm">Thick</a><div class="vheading2">Job 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-1.htm">Job longs to appear before God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-6.htm">in confidence of his mercy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-8.htm">God, who is invisible, observes our ways</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-11.htm">Job's innocence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-13.htm">God's decree is immutable</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Yet I am not silenced by the darkness</b><br>In this phrase, Job expresses his determination to continue speaking despite the overwhelming darkness he feels. The "darkness" here symbolizes the intense suffering and confusion Job is experiencing. In biblical literature, darkness often represents chaos, evil, or judgment (<a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Genesis 1:2</a>, <a href="/exodus/10-21.htm">Exodus 10:21-23</a>). Job's refusal to be silenced suggests a deep faith and perseverance, reminiscent of the psalmists who cry out to God in times of distress (<a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22:1-2</a>). This persistence in seeking God despite suffering can be seen as a type of Christ, who also endured suffering and darkness but remained faithful (<a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a>).<p><b>by the thick darkness that covers my face</b><br>The "thick darkness" indicates a profound sense of despair and the feeling of being enveloped by troubles. In the ancient Near Eastern context, darkness was often associated with the unknown and fear. The phrase "covers my face" suggests a personal and intimate experience of this darkness, as if it is directly affecting Job's identity and perception. This imagery can be connected to the darkness that covered the land during Christ's crucifixion (<a href="/matthew/27-45.htm">Matthew 27:45</a>), symbolizing the weight of sin and separation from God. Job's experience foreshadows the ultimate suffering of Christ, who bore the darkness of the world's sin yet emerged victorious.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. Job is known for his patience and perseverance in the face of adversity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The omnipotent and omniscient Creator, who allows Job to be tested by Satan to demonstrate Job's faithfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness.htm">Darkness</a></b><br>Symbolic of suffering, confusion, and the absence of understanding. In this context, it represents the trials and tribulations Job is experiencing.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/friends_of_job.htm">Friends of Job</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Job's friends play a significant role in the account, offering misguided counsel and failing to understand Job's plight.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/satan.htm">Satan</a></b><br>The adversary who challenges Job's faithfulness, suggesting that Job is only righteous because of his prosperity and protection from God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_trials.htm">Perseverance in Trials</a></b><br>Job's refusal to be silenced by darkness teaches us the importance of maintaining our faith and integrity even when we face severe trials and confusion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_beyond_understanding.htm">Faith Beyond Understanding</a></b><br>Job's experience highlights that faith does not always require understanding. We can trust God's character and promises even when we cannot see the way forward.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_darkness.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Darkness</a></b><br>Acknowledge that spiritual darkness and suffering are real and can be overwhelming, but they do not have the final say over our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_darkness.htm">God's Presence in Darkness</a></b><br>Even when we feel surrounded by darkness, God is present. Our circumstances do not dictate God's proximity or care for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_to_speak_truth.htm">Encouragement to Speak Truth</a></b><br>Like Job, we should not be silenced by our circumstances but continue to speak truth and seek understanding from God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god_truthful_with_deceiver_deceived.htm">In Job 12:16, how can God be responsible for both the deceiver and the deceived without contradicting verses that uphold His truthfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/job_30_23__how_does_this_view_fit_scripture.htm">Job 30:23 - If Job believes God will bring him to death, how does this align or conflict with the broader theology of afterlife or resurrection found elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_faithful_suffer_severely.htm">(Psalm 44:17-19) How is it consistent with other biblical texts that the righteous suffer so severely despite remaining faithful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_new_man_in_the_story.htm">What are the torments of Sheol?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face</span>. Job complains of two things: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> That he was not cut off (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> removed from earth) before the great darkness fell upon his life (comp. <a href="/job/3-11.htm">Job 3:11-13</a>). <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> That he was not "covered,' <span class="accented">i.e.</span> sheltered and protected, by the love and care of God when the dark days came. <p> . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/23-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Yet</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">silenced</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֭צְמַתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(niṣ·mat·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6789.htm">Strong's 6789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put an end to, exterminate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the darkness,</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹ֑שֶׁךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the thick darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹֽפֶל׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·p̄el)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_652.htm">Strong's 652: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, gloom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that covers</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּסָּה־</span> <span class="translit">(kis·sāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3680.htm">Strong's 3680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To plump, fill up hollows, to cover</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my face.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mip·pā·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/23-17.htm">Job 23:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/23-17.htm">OT Poetry: Job 23:17 Because I was not cut off before (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/23-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 23:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 23:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/24-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 24:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 24:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>