Job 7:6-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Job 7:6-21: 7:6-21 Job cried out to God, complaining that life was too brief (7:6-10 ). This complaint contrasts ironically with his earlier desire that God end it all (6:9 ).

Summary for Job 7:6-21: 7:6-21 ^a Job cried out to God, complaining that life was too brief (7:6-10 ^b). This complaint contrasts ironically with his earlier desire that God end it all (6:9 ^c).
7:7 ^d Those who call upon God to remember are typically seeking covenant mercy (Pss 35:6 ^e; 106:4 ^f).

• Job’s declaration that life is but a breath (Hebrew ruakh) meant either that he was one breath away from death or that his life was like a passing wind (Ps 39:9 ^g, 11 ^h).
7:8 ⁱ You see me now, but not for long: The Greek Old Testament omitted this verse to avoid the implication that God would be unable to see Job in Sheol (see study note on 7:9).
7:9 ^j die (literally go down to Sheol): This is the first explicit mention of Sheol in Job. It is described as a place of rest from earthly pressures and distinctions (3:13-19 ^k) and as a dark dwelling place (10:21-22 ^l; 17:13 ^m) deep in the earth (11:8 ⁿ) that is covered in dust (17:16 ^o). It is the destiny of all the living (30:23 ^p) from which no one can return (10:21 ^q; see Gen 37:25 ^r; 2 Sam 12:12 ^s).