Bible Strands
Job 16:18
O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Job speaks to the earth as he laments his unjust suffering, positioned between his claim of innocence in 16:17 and his appeal to a heavenly advocate in 16:19.
The words — אֶרֶץ ('E.retz) means "earth," and תְּכַסִּי (te.kha.Si) means "you cover," forming the direct command for the ground not to conceal his shed blood.
The thread — The motif of earth receiving or concealing blood runs through Genesis 4:11, Ezekiel 24:7, and Isaiah 26:21.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that unavenged violence demands a visible record rather than silent burial, leaving the matter for divine intervention.
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
O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 26:21 For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.
- Ezekiel 24:7 For the blood she shed is still within her; she poured it out on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust.
- Genesis 4:11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
- Psalms 66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
- Nehemiah 4:5 Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.
- Job 27:9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?
- Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
- Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and malicious talk,
- Jeremiah 22:29 O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD!
- James 4:3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.