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
Job is questioning whether his suffering is due to personal sin. This reflects the common belief in ancient times that suffering was directly linked to sin. The book of Job challenges this notion, showing that suffering can occur for reasons beyond human understanding. This phrase invites reflection on the nature of sin and its consequences, as seen in other scriptures like John 9:2-3, where Jesus explains that not all suffering is a result of personal sin.

what have I done to You
Job is expressing confusion and frustration, questioning what he could have possibly done to deserve such intense suffering. This reflects a deep sense of bewilderment and a desire for understanding. It echoes the human struggle to comprehend divine justice and the reasons behind personal trials, similar to the lamentations found in Psalms, such as Psalm 22:1.

O watcher of mankind?
This phrase acknowledges God's omniscience and His role as the overseer of human actions. The term "watcher" suggests a God who is attentive and aware of human affairs. This concept is consistent with passages like Psalm 121:3-4, which describe God as a vigilant guardian. It also raises questions about the nature of divine observation—whether it is protective, judgmental, or both.

Why have You made me Your target
Job feels singled out by God for suffering, as if he is being specifically targeted. This imagery of being a target suggests a sense of persecution and highlights Job's feeling of being unjustly afflicted. It resonates with the experiences of other biblical figures who felt abandoned or targeted by God, such as David in Psalm 38:2.

so that I am a burden to You?
Job perceives himself as a burden to God, which reflects his deep sense of worthlessness and despair. This phrase underscores the intensity of Job's suffering and his feeling of being a source of trouble to God. It invites reflection on the nature of human suffering and its place in the divine plan, as well as the assurance found in scriptures like Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus offers rest to the weary.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning God's justice.

2. God (Watcher of men)
Referred to as the "Watcher of men," highlighting His omniscience and omnipresence. Job addresses God directly, questioning His actions and intentions.

3. Job's Suffering
The context of this verse is Job's lament over his suffering, which he perceives as unjust and overwhelming. He feels targeted by God despite his innocence.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Omniscience
Recognize that God is the "Watcher of men," fully aware of our actions, thoughts, and struggles. This awareness should lead us to live transparently before Him.

The Reality of Suffering
Suffering is a part of the human experience, and even the righteous may endure hardships. Job's account reminds us that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin.

Questioning and Faith
It is natural to question God during times of suffering, as Job did. However, maintaining faith and seeking understanding through prayer and scripture is crucial.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
Trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even when His ways are beyond our understanding. Job's account encourages us to hold onto faith amidst trials.

Reflecting on Personal Sin
While Job questions his sinfulness, it is important for us to regularly reflect on our own lives, confessing and repenting of sin, and seeking God's forgiveness.(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)
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