Explanation: In Job 7 Job concludes his answer to Eliphaz. I've chosen the painting above to represent the terrifying dreams and visions experienced by Job as he came ever closer to the grave. [Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2]. [Chronologically and Thematically Related Scriptures: Job 4; Job 5; Job 6].
     Job said that his days were drawing swiftly to a close. Like a hireling or a weary servant, he longed for the reward of his work. But his sleep was disturbed constantly during the night. His body was covered with worms and dirt; and his days flew swifter than a weaver's shuttle and were spent without hope (1-6). He then spoke to God, asking him to remember that his life is wind and he would see good no more. He would soon be seen no more like a cloud which vanishes. He would soon go to the grave, never to return to his house; and his place would know him no more (7-10). He therefore spoke in the anguish of his spirit and complained in the bitterness of his soul. He asked if he needed to be watched or guarded like the (dangerous, unruly) sea or a whale (or some other dangerous animal). He was not dangerous; to the contrary, he was terrified by the dreams and the visions which God sent to him. He would prefer strangling and death. He asked to be left alone because he would soon die ("swallow down my spittle"). He admitted that he had sinned (generally, at least); but he asks what did that do to God (how did it burden him) that he should become God's target and be burdensome to himself. He asks why God did not pardon his transgressions and take away his iniquity. (In previous chapters it is clear that Job kept himself and his household right with God; so he could not understand God's lack of forgiveness). He urged God to help him soon because he would soon be gone, and he would seek him in the morning but would not find him. This implies that, previously, Job had a sense of communion with God; and it is reminiscent of the communion which Adam and Eve seemingly had, morning by morning with God (Genesis 3:8-10), in the Garden of Eden (11-21).

     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. ¹² Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? ¹³ When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; ¹⁴ Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: ¹⁵ So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. ¹⁶ I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity. ¹⁷ What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? ¹⁸ And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? ¹⁹ How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? ²⁰ 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? ²¹ And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

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