Job 7:17 (BSB)
What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,
Commentary on Job 7:17
- Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Job 7:17-21: Job here reasons with God, I. Concerning his dealings with man in general (Job 7:17, Job 7:18): What is man, that thou shouldst magnify him? This may be looked upon either, 1. As a passionate reflection upon the proceedings of divine justice; as if the great God did diminish and disparage himself in contending with man.
- John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Job 7:17: What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him?.... Man in his best estate, in his original state, was but of the earth, earthly; a mutable creature, and altogether vanity; so that it was wonderful God should magnify him as be did, raise him to such honour and dignity, as to set him over all the works of his hands, and bestow peculiar marks of his...
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Job 7:17: (Psa 8:4; Psa 144:3). Job means, "What is man that thou shouldst make him [of so much importance], and that thou shouldst expend such attention [or, heart-thought] upon him" as to make him the subject of so severe trials? Job ought rather to have reasoned from God's condescending so far to notice man as to try him, that there must be a wise and loving purpose in trial.
- Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on Job 7:17: What [is] man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? (m) Seeing that man of himself is so vile, why do you give him that honour to contend against him? Job uses all kinds of persuasion with God, that he might stay his hand.