The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Job 19:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me.

Douay-Rheims

חָנֻּ֬נִי חָנֻּ֣נִי אַתֶּ֣ם רֵעָ֑י כִּ֥י יַד־אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ נָ֣גְעָה בִּֽי׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 4 commentaries

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

The strength of the wicked will be shattered, ensuring that their actions cannot prevent the just from thriving, and the rod of oppression will not prevail over the heritage of the righteous. As Paul states, God will strike down Satan beneath your feet. When his strength is broken, his entire essence will collapse, and his deceptions will be crushed like a venomous serpent. With the adversary defeated, the faithful receive fortification from the Lord, prompting the righteous to declare, "You have established Your hand upon me," while Job proclaims, "The hand of the Lord has touched me." God placed His hand on His servant, breaking the power and strength of the sinner. The sinner attempted to impose his will on God’s servant through his words.

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Therefore, the devil was misled by his own assertions when he suggested, "Stretch out Your hand to him, and we'll see if he will praise You," attempting to imply cursing rather than overt blasphemy. The Lord's touch strengthened Job and led him to bless, contrary to expectations that he would utter a curse—demonstrating that God’s hand heals the righteous through touch, rather than causing harm. The Lord touched the sick man, and the leprosy vanished; He opened the eyes of the blind, filling them with light and dispelling darkness. Always seek to be strengthened, and those who stand firm should be cautious to avoid falling. To be fortified by the Lord, we must remain steadfast. The times are perilous, and we can easily stumble, so let us seek the Lord's grace to strengthen and comfort us.

In his anguish, Job expressed the poignant plea, ‘Have pity on me, friends, have pity on me’ (Job 19:21). This is not merely the cry of the downtrodden; it is, in fact, the declaration of one who stands in judgment. Wrongfully condemned by those he considered friends, Job implored them to show mercy, emphasizing that they should extend compassion instead of placing further burdens upon him. His suffering warranted empathy and understanding, reflective of true friendship.

Gregory the Great

6th centuryChurch Father

Have compassion on me, take pity on me, O you my companions; for the hand of God has laid its weight upon me. Job 19:21.

The thoughts of righteous individuals tend to display a unique characteristic: when they endure unfair treatment from adversaries, they refrain from rising in wrath and instead turn to supplication. Even those lacking moral conviction, if they exert effort to soothe their own spirits, would prefer prayer over resentment. Thus, it is fitting that he expresses, Have compassion on me, take pity on me, O you my companions; because the hand of God has pressed upon me. Notice particularly that he refers to those who wrong him as 'friends,' since to the hearts of the faithful, even unpleasant experiences can serve a beneficial purpose.

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For anyone who is guilty can be transformed, often through the gentle embrace of goodness, leading them to repentance. They are termed 'friends' simply because their ongoing wickedness against a virtuous person inadvertently leads to a refinement of that individual.

Furthermore, let us take note of how, regarding the matters carried out by God in mystery, the words of the blessed sufferer are delivered with calmness and serenity. Though struck by Satan, he does not attribute his affliction solely to that, but rather views himself as one whom 'the hand of God has touched,’ echoing the challenge posed by Satan: but stretch forth Thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and see if he will bless Thee to Thy face. Job 2:5. For the holy individual understood that, in the very actions wrought against him by the malice of Satan, he had not come under any authority apart from that granted by the Lord. And the narrative continues further:

Olympiodorus of Alexandria

6th centuryChurch Father

He states that while I still draw breath, my body is decaying and my bones seem as if they have been devoured by savage beasts. Show me compassion, have pity on me, my companions, for the hand of the Almighty has touched me. If you are not ashamed of me, since I speak the truth, show me kindness and grace, demonstrate compassion and reverence, mindful of what has been brought upon me by God, lest you encounter a similar fate from Him. Why do you also pursue me like the Lord, unable to find satisfaction in my suffering? Why do you attach your wrath to God's, acting contrary to His intentions? For though He administers discipline, His desire is for us to be merciful. So why do you continually assault me with such harsh words? For even harsh words can leave one weary in spirit. Therefore, let us beware of discord, understanding that through it we inflict harm upon our brethren.

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