Bible Strands
Job 16:17
yet my hands are free of violence and my prayer is pure.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Job addresses his friends who have presumed his suffering stems from hidden sin, speaking immediately after describing his physical distress and weeping (Job 16:16). He makes this declaration just before commanding the earth not to cover his blood and to preserve his cry for help (Job 16:18).
The words — The Hebrew חָמָס (ḥāmās) denotes violent wrongdoing, while זַכָּה (zakkâh) means pure or clean. The text explicitly states that violence is not in his hands and his prayer is untainted.
The thread — This assertion of innocent prayer matches the pattern that God listens to those who do not harbor iniquity (Psalms 66:18) and delights in the prayers of the upright (Proverbs 15:8). It also parallels the call to earnestly seek God for mercy (Job 8:5).
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to verify whether their current distress correlates with unconfessed sin or stands as a trial of integrity. It demands the plain acknowledgment that outward piety and inner purity can coexist even when God's reasons remain hidden.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
- Psalms 66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
- Job 8:5 But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,
- Job 27:6 I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.
- Job 11:14 if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,
- Job 15:20 A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.
- Job 15:34 For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.
- Job 21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
- Job 22:5 Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless?
- Job 29:12 because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.