Definition: His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this powerful verse from Job 16:13. It's a really striking image of Godās judgment. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: God is so intensely focused on a person (we can assume itās Job) that heās deliberately and harshly punishing them ā essentially, heās causing immense pain and distress to them. It's like being thrown into a whirlwind! Letās unpack the parts: āHis archers compass me round aboutā : This is metaphorical. Think of an archer aiming at someone. The "compass" represents God's relentless pursuit or judgment. Heās circling around Job, relentlessly examining and testing him. It suggests a constant, unwavering gaze. āHe cleaveth my reins asunderā : This is the most painful part. āReinsā are metaphorical for Job's spirit ā his thoughts, emotions, and ability to reason. "Cleave" means to split or tear apart. So, God is literally tearing apart Jobās mind and spirit! Heās disrupting his thinking and causing him great pain. āAnd doth not spareā : This emphasizes the severity of the punishment. God isn't just inflicting pain; heās treating it with a ruthless lack of mercy. He doesnāt hesitate or show any compassion. āHe poureth out my gall upon the groundā : This is a powerfully vivid image. āGallā refers to something painful and unpleasant ā like tears, blood, or shame. God is pouring this intense suffering out onto the earth, covering Job with a blanket of misery. Itās as if he's washing him down with a torrent of pain. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: This verse isn't about simple anger; itās about unyielding judgment . It suggests that God is completely and utterly focused on Job and his suffering, and he doesnāt tolerate any resistance or defiance. It conveys a sense of overwhelming punishment and the feeling of being completely helpless in the face of divine wrath. Important Note: The verse is often interpreted as a reflection of Job's own struggle with doubt and despair. Godās actions are presented as a response to Job's rebellion, demonstrating Godās absolute power and unwavering justice. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in the Bible? Discuss how this verse relates to other biblical themes (like suffering or faith)?