17 My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family.
17 My breath is strange to my wife, and I am a stench to the children of my own mother.
17 My wife can't stand to be around me anymore. I'm repulsive to my family.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife, And I am repulsive to the children of my own body.
17 My breath is repulsive to my wife. I am rejected by my own family.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 19:17
Commentary on Job 19:8-22
(Read Job 19:8-22)
How doleful are Job's complaints! What is the fire of hell but the wrath of God! Seared consciences will feel it hereafter, but do not fear it now: enlightened consciences fear it now, but shall not feel it hereafter. It is a very common mistake to think that those whom God afflicts he treats as his enemies. Every creature is that to us which God makes it to be; yet this does not excuse Job's relations and friends. How uncertain is the friendship of men! but if God be our Friend, he will not fail us in time of need. What little reason we have to indulge the body, which, after all our care, is consumed by diseases it has in itself. Job recommends himself to the compassion of his friends, and justly blames their harshness. It is very distressing to one who loves God, to be bereaved at once of outward comfort and of inward consolation; yet if this, and more, come upon a believer, it does not weaken the proof of his being a child of God and heir of glory.