Job 13:14

Why ¹  do I put myself in peril, ²  and take my life in my hands?

Jud 12:3; 1Sa 19:5; 1Sa 28:21; Job 18:4; Ps 119:109; Ec 4:5; Isa 9:20; Isa 49:26

¹ tc Most editors reject עַל־מָה (’al mah) as dittography from the last verse.

² tn Heb “why do I take my flesh in my teeth?” This expression occurs nowhere else. It seems to be drawn from animal imagery in which the wild beast seizes the prey and carries it off to a place of security. The idea would then be that Job may be destroying himself. An animal that fights with its flesh (prey) in its mouth risks losing it. Other commentators do not think this is satisfactory, but they are unable to suggest anything better.