Job 23:17 (DBY)

Passage

Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.

Nearby Context

Job 23:15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence; I consider, and I am afraid of him.

Job 23:16 For God hath made my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me;

Job 23:17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he hidden the gloom from me.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "darkness", "before", "neither", "hath", "hidden", and "gloom". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "darkness" and "before", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "For God hath made my heart soft...", giving immediate footing for "darkness" and "before". In Job context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "darkness" and "before" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.