Job 7:20
New International Version
If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?

New Living Translation
If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why make me your target? Am I a burden to you?

English Standard Version
If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind? Why have you made me your mark? Why have I become a burden to you?

Berean Standard Bible
If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?

King James Bible
I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

New King James Version
Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?

New American Standard Bible
“Have I sinned? What have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?

NASB 1995
“Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?

NASB 1977
“Have I sinned? What have I done to Thee, O watcher of men? Why hast Thou set me as Thy target, So that I am a burden to myself?

Legacy Standard Bible
Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?

Amplified Bible
“If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done to You, O Watcher of mankind? Why have You set me as a target for You, So that I am a burden to myself?

Christian Standard Bible
If I have sinned, what have I done to you, Watcher of humanity? Why have you made me your target, so that I have become a burden to you?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If I have sinned, what have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I have become a burden to You?

American Standard Version
If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark for thee, So that I am a burden to myself?

Contemporary English Version
Why do you watch us so closely? What's it to you, if I sin? Why am I your target and such a heavy burden?

English Revised Version
If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men? why hast thou set me as a mark for thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I sin, what can I [possibly] do to you since you insist on spying on people? Why do you make me your target? I've become a burden even to myself.

Good News Translation
Are you harmed by my sin, you jailer? Why use me for your target practice? Am I so great a burden to you?

International Standard Version
So what if I sin? What have I done against you, you observer of humankind? Why have you made me your target? Why burden yourself with me?

Majority Standard Bible
If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?

NET Bible
If I have sinned--what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you set me as your target? Have I become a burden to you?

New Heart English Bible
If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?

Webster's Bible Translation
I have sinned; what shall I do to thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

World English Bible
If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have sinned, what do I do to You, "" O watcher of man? Why have You set me for a mark to You, "" And I am for a burden to myself—and what?

Young's Literal Translation
I have sinned, what do I to Thee, O watcher of man? Why hast Thou set me for a mark to Thee, And I am for a burden to myself -- and what?

Smith's Literal Translation
I sinned; what shall I do to thee, guarding men? wherefore didst thou set me for an assault to thee, and I shall be upon myself for a burden?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? why hast thou set me opposite to thee, and I am become burdensome to myself?

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have sinned; what should I do for you, O keeper of men? Why have you set me against you, so that I have become burdensome even to myself?

New American Bible
If I sin, what do I do to you, O watcher of mortals? Why have you made me your target? Why should I be a burden for you?

New Revised Standard Version
If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of humanity? Why have you made me your target? Why have I become a burden to you?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If I have sinned; what have I done to thee, O thou Creator of men? Why hast thou caused me to encounter thee? Thou hast become a burden to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If I have sinned, what shall I do to you, The Maker of Man? Why have you appointed me that I would meet with you, and you have been a burden to me?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If I have sinned, what do I unto Thee, O Thou watcher of men? Why hast Thou set me as a mark for Thee, So that I am a burden to myself?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If I have sinned, what shall I be able to do, O thou that understandest the mind of men? why hast thou made me as thine accuser, and why am I a burden to thee?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Continues: Life Seems Futile
19Will You never look away from me, or leave me alone to swallow my spittle? 20If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You? 21Why do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For soon I will lie down in the dust; You will seek me, but I will be no more.”…

Cross References
Psalm 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.

Psalm 139:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.

Psalm 8:4
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Isaiah 59:12
For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions are indeed with us, and we know our iniquities:

Jeremiah 14:7
Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You.

Lamentations 3:39
Why should any mortal man complain, in view of his sins?

Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.

1 Kings 8:46
When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,

2 Chronicles 6:36
When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to a land far or near,

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 7:24
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Romans 14:12
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

1 John 1:8-9
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.


Treasury of Scripture

I have sinned; what shall I do to you, O you preserver of men? why have you set me as a mark against you, so that I am a burden to myself?

I have sinned.

Job 9:29-31
If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? …

Job 13:26
For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.

Job 14:16
For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

O thou preserver.

Nehemiah 9:6
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Psalm 36:6
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

why hast.

Job 7:12
Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?

Job 6:4
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Job 16:12-14
I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark…

I am.

Job 7:11
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 3:24
For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

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Job 7
1. Job excuses his desire of death.
12. He complains of his own restlessness, and reasons with God.














If I have sinned
The Hebrew word for "sinned" here is "חָטָאתִי" (chata'ti), which implies missing the mark or falling short of a standard. In the context of Job, this phrase reflects Job's introspection and his struggle to understand his suffering. He is questioning whether his suffering is a result of sin, a common belief in ancient times that suffering was directly linked to personal wrongdoing. This introspection is a powerful reminder of the human tendency to seek reasons for suffering and the struggle to reconcile personal experiences with divine justice.

what have I done to You
This phrase highlights Job's bewilderment and his plea for understanding. The Hebrew root "עָשָׂה" (asah) means "to do" or "to make," indicating Job's search for a specific action that might have caused offense. Job is essentially asking God to reveal any wrongdoing on his part, emphasizing his desire for clarity and reconciliation. This reflects the deep human need to understand one's relationship with the divine and the impact of one's actions on that relationship.

O Watcher of men
The term "Watcher" is translated from the Hebrew "נֹצֵר" (notser), which can mean "keeper" or "guardian." This title for God underscores His omniscience and His role as an overseer of human actions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often seen as distant, but the God of Israel is portrayed as intimately involved in human affairs. Job's use of this title reflects his acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and His active role in the world, even as he struggles with the implications of that role in his own life.

Why have You made me Your target
The imagery of being a "target" suggests a sense of being singled out for suffering. The Hebrew word "מִפְגָּע" (mifga) can mean "target" or "mark," indicating Job's feeling of being under constant scrutiny or attack. This metaphor conveys Job's perception of his suffering as intentional and directed, which is a common theme in the book of Job. It reflects the existential struggle of feeling unjustly targeted by circumstances beyond one's control and the quest for understanding divine intentions.

so that I am a burden to You?
The word "burden" comes from the Hebrew "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can mean "load" or "burden." Job's rhetorical question suggests his feeling of being a source of trouble or inconvenience to God. This reflects a deep sense of unworthiness and confusion about his place in the divine plan. In the broader biblical context, this phrase highlights the tension between human frailty and divine omnipotence, and the struggle to understand how human suffering fits into God's greater purpose.

(20) I have sinned--i.e., "Putting the case that I have sinned, yet what then can I do unto Thee, O thou keeper of men? "with a possible allusion to Job 7:12, though the verb is not the same.

O thou preserver of men.--"Why hast Thou set me as a mark for Thee to expend all Thine arrows upon?" or, "Why hast Thou made me to be Thy stumbling-block, so that Thou ever comest into collision against me, so that I am become a burden to myself?"

Verse 20. - I have sinned. This is not so much a confession as a concession, equivalent to "Granting that I have sinned," or, "Suppose that I have sinned." In that case, What shall I do unto thee? or, What can I do for thee? How is it in my power to do anything? Can I undo the past? Or can I make compensation in the future? Neither seems to Job to be possible. O thou Preserver of men; rather, thou Observer of men. A continuation of the complaint that God's eye is always upon him. Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee? "A mark" (מפגע) is either "a butt," "a target for arrows," or else "an obstacle," "a stumbling-block," which God, by repeated blows, is removing out of his way. The latter meaning is preferred by Schultens and Professor Lee; the former by Rosenmuller and our Revisers. So that I am a burden to myself (comp. Psalm 38:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If I have sinned,
חָטָ֡אתִי (ḥā·ṭā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

what
מָ֤ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have I done to You,
אֶפְעַ֨ל ׀ (’ep̄·‘al)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6466: To do, make, to practise

O Watcher
נֹצֵ֪ר (nō·ṣêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep

of mankind?
הָאָ֫דָ֥ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

Why
לָ֤מָה (lā·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have You made me
שַׂמְתַּ֣נִי (śam·ta·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

Your target,
לְמִפְגָּ֣ע (lə·mip̄·gā‘)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4645: Something hit, a mark

so that I am
וָאֶהְיֶ֖ה (wā·’eh·yeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a burden
לְמַשָּֽׂא׃ (lə·maś·śā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

to You?
עָלַ֣י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Poetry: Job 7:20 If I have sinned what do (Jb)
Job 7:19
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