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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 16:18 O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/16-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/18_Job_16_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 16:18 - Job Decries his Comforters" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/16-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/16-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.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/16-17.htm" title="Job 16:17">◄</a> Job 16:18 <a href="/job/16-19.htm" title="Job 16:19">►</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/16.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/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“O earth, do not conceal my blood. Let it cry out on my behalf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“O earth, do not cover my blood, And let my cry have no <i>resting</i> place!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Earth, do not cover my blood, And may there be no <i>resting</i> place for my cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220O earth, do not cover my blood, And let there be no resting place for my cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“O earth, do not cover my blood, And let there be no <i>resting</i> place for my cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“O earth, do not cover my blood, And let there be no <i>resting</i> place for my cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“O earth, do not cover my blood, And let there be no [resting] place for my cry [where it will cease being heard].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help find no resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help find no resting place. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no resting #NAME?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If I should die, I beg the earth not to cover my cry for justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Earth, don't cover my blood. Don't ever let my cry [for justice] be stopped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />O Earth, don't hide the wrongs done to me! Don't let my call for justice be silenced! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Listen, earth! Don't cover my blood, for my outcry has no place to rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Earth, do not cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />O earth, do not cover my blood! And let there not be a place for my cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> O earth, do not thou cover my blood! And let there not be a place for my cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />O earth, thou wilt not cover my blood; and shall there not be place for my cry?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 16:19>O earth, do not conceal my blood, nor let my outcry find a hiding place in you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let my outcry come to rest! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“O earth, do not cover my blood; let my outcry find no resting place.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry have no place!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The Earth will not cover my blood and there shall be no place for my cry<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no resting-place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Earth, cover not over the blood of my flesh, and let my cry have no place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/16-18.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=2574" 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/16.htm">Job Decries his Comforters</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>yet my hands are free of violence and my prayer is pure. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">O earth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: tə·ḵas·sî (V-Piel-Imperf-2fs) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">cover</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: ḏā·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">my blood;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2201.htm" title="2201: lə·za·‘ă·qā·ṯî (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A cry, outcry. And zoaqah; from za'aq; a shriek or outcry.">may my cry for help</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">never</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yə·hî (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">be</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: mā·qō·wm (N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">laid to rest.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high.…<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="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a></span><br />“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></span><br />For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-10.htm">Revelation 6:10</a></span><br />And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a></span><br />to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Psalm 9:12</a></span><br />For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-50.htm">Luke 11:50-51</a></span><br />As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a></span><br />And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-34.htm">Jeremiah 2:34</a></span><br />Moreover, your skirts are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/24-7.htm">Ezekiel 24:7-8</a></span><br />For the blood she shed is still within her; she poured it out on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. / In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have placed her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a></span><br />When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-26.htm">2 Kings 9:26</a></span><br />‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, so will I repay you on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, according to the word of the LORD, pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1-9</a></span><br />If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-84.htm">Psalm 119:84</a></span><br />How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/79-10.htm">Psalm 79:10</a></span><br />Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">O earth, cover not you my blood, and let my cry have no place.</p><p class="hdg">O earth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/22-29.htm">Jeremiah 22:29</a></b></br> O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">cover not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Genesis 4:11</a></b></br> And now <i>art</i> thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Nehemiah 4:5</a></b></br> And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked <i>thee</i> to anger before the builders.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></b></br> For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.</p><p class="hdg">let my cry</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-9.htm">Job 27:9</a></b></br> Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18,19</a></b></br> If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear <i>me</i>: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a></b></br> And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/8-14.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/job/14-17.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/job/5-1.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/job/16-13.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/13-3.htm">Find</a> <a href="/job/16-15.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/job/14-6.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-41.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/job/15-28.htm">Resting-Place</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/39-30.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/job/21-26.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/job/17-14.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/job/17-14.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/job/17-10.htm">Find</a> <a href="/job/18-10.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/job/17-16.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/psalms/77-2.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/job/17-1.htm">Resting-Place</a><div class="vheading2">Job 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/16-1.htm">Job reproves his friends for unmercifulness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/16-17.htm">He maintains his innocence</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/16.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/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>O earth, do not cover my blood;</b><br>In this phrase, Job is expressing a deep desire for his suffering and innocence to be acknowledged. The imagery of the earth covering blood is reminiscent of <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a>, where Abel's blood cries out from the ground after Cain kills him. This connection highlights the theme of innocent suffering and the call for divine justice. In ancient Near Eastern culture, blood was considered the life force, and its unjust shedding demanded retribution. Job's plea reflects his hope that his plight will not be forgotten or ignored, even if he dies.<p><b>may my cry for help never be laid to rest.</b><br>Job's cry for help is a persistent appeal for vindication and justice. This reflects the biblical theme of the righteous calling out to God in times of distress, as seen in Psalms 22:1-2 and 55:1-2. The phrase "never be laid to rest" suggests an ongoing, unresolved plea, emphasizing Job's unwavering faith that God will ultimately hear and respond. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who also cried out to God in His suffering (<a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a>), and whose blood speaks a better word than Abel's (<a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a>), symbolizing ultimate redemption and justice.<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. In this verse, Job is expressing his deep anguish and desire for justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/earth.htm">Earth</a></b><br>Symbolically represents the world or creation. Job calls upon the earth not to hide his blood, indicating a plea for his suffering and innocence to be acknowledged.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cry_for_help.htm">Cry for Help</a></b><br>Represents Job's plea for vindication and justice. It is a metaphor for his desire that his suffering not be forgotten or ignored.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cry_for_justice.htm">The Cry for Justice</a></b><br>Job's plea reflects a universal human desire for justice and recognition of suffering. Believers can find solace in knowing that God hears their cries and will ultimately bring justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_witness_of_creation.htm">The Witness of Creation</a></b><br>Job's invocation of the earth as a witness to his suffering reminds us that all creation is under God's watchful eye. Our lives and struggles are not hidden from Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_suffering.htm">Perseverance in Suffering</a></b><br>Job's unwavering cry for help encourages believers to persist in faith and prayer, even when answers seem delayed. Trust in God's timing and justice is crucial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a></b><br>Job's insistence on his innocence and desire for his blood not to be covered underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and righteousness, even amidst trials.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_divine_vindication.htm">Hope in Divine Vindication</a></b><br>Job's hope that his cry will not be laid to rest points to the ultimate hope believers have in Christ, who will vindicate and restore all things.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_job_16_18_outside_bible.htm">In Job 16:18, is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting this lament outside of the biblical narrative? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_pain.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on pain?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_infamous_names_persist_in_memory.htm">Job 18:16-17: How can the names of the wicked vanish from memory when some of history's most notorious figures remain famous?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_passion_of_christ_entail.htm">What does the Passion of Christ entail?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Let my cry have no place.</span>--That is, "Let there be no place in the wide earth where my cry shall not reach: let it have no resting place: let it fill the whole wide earth."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">O earth, cover not thou my blood!</span> There was a widespread belief in the ancient world that innocent blood, spilt upon the ground, cried to God for vengeance, and remained a dark blot upon the earth till it was avenged, or until it was covered up. Job apostrophizes the earth, and be-seethes it not to cover up his blood when he dies, as he expects to do, shortly. <span class="cmt_word">And let my cry have no place</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> let it have no hiding-place, but fill earth and heaven. Let it continue to be heard until it is answered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/16-18.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">O earth,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֭רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cover</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּכַסִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḵas·sî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person feminine 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 blood;</span><br /><span class="heb">דָמִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may my cry for help</span><br /><span class="heb">לְזַעֲקָתִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·za·‘ă·qā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2201.htm">Strong's 2201: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shriek, outcry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">never</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">laid to rest.</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֝ק֗וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/16-18.htm">Job 16:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/16-18.htm">OT Poetry: Job 16:18 Earth don't cover my blood (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/16-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 16:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 16:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/16-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 16:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 16:19" /></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>