Job 17 | TNotes | STEP | 17:1 My spirit is crushed: This can refer to a properly contrite attitude (Ps 51:17 ), but more often it connotes an unbearably sad heart (Prov 18:14 ).

17:1 ^a My spirit is crushed: This can refer to a properly contrite attitude (Ps 51:17 ^b), but more often it connotes an unbearably sad heart (Prov 18:14 ^c).
17:2 ^d surrounded by mockers: Laments typically describe mockery as the response of the wicked to the distress of the righteous (Pss 22:7 ^e; 69:10-12 ^f; 89:50-52 ^g). In wisdom literature, mockery is directed against the right behavior (Prov 1:22 ^h; 9:7 ⁱ).
Summary for Job 17:3-5: 17:3-5 ^j defend my innocence, O God (literally please keep my pledge with yourself): A pledge (Hebrew ‘erabon) can be a deposit guaranteeing payment (Gen 38:17-20 ^k; Exod 22:26-27 ^l; Deut 24:10-14 ^m; see Prov 20:16 ⁿ; 27:13 ^o), so this might suggest atonement. It might also be another reference to Job’s desire for an advocate to plead his case (see study note on Job 16:19-21).
17:6 ^p To spit in someone’s face was even more insulting than a slap (16:10 ^q) because spit made the person unclean (Num 12:14 ^r).
Summary for Job 17:8-9: 17:8-9 ^s Some scholars view these verses as being out of place, but perhaps Job was ironically quoting his opponents’ words.
Summary for Job 17:10-16: 17:10-16 ^t Job gave up on his comforters (6:15-21 ^u; 13:4-5 ^v; 16:2-3 ^w; cp. 12:2 ^x) and believed he would die a hopeless death.
17:13 ^y to the grave (Hebrew to Sheol): The realm of the dead was visualized as a house (30:23 ^z; Ps 49:11 ^aa; Eccl 12:5 ^ab).
17:14 ^ac my father ... mother ... sister: This bitter parody of a family reunion in a graveyard shows how Job envisioned his impending death.
17:16 ^ad the grave (literally the bars of Sheol): Sheol—the abode of the dead—was seen as having a barred gate, allowing no escape.