איוב, פרק י׳, פסוק כ׳

Facing the imminent end of his life and recognizing the temporary nature of his existence, Job cries out in deep agony. He begs God for a brief moment of rest and relief before he dies. Job points out that his life is already painfully short [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This realization is understood in two main ways. On one hand, it is a tragic observation that his few days are rapidly coming to a close, and he will soon fade from the world entirely [מלבי״ם, רמב״ן]. On the other hand, it serves as a direct, active plea to God: because his time is so limited, God should stop inflicting pain and tragedy upon him [רלב״ג, תקות אנוש, רמב״ן]. Building on this, if a person is meant to eventually experience good in life, Job argues that his remaining time is simply too short for that to happen; therefore, he asks that, at the very least, his current suffering be halted [מצודת דוד].

Job then asks God to let go of him and remove his heavy burden of suffering. The primary approach among commentators is that this is a plea for release [רלב״ג, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם, תקות אנוש]. Within this request, there are several subtle variations. It is seen as a plea for God to distance Himself [רש״י], to lift His hand from Job and place it elsewhere [תקות אנוש], or to simply divert His attention to something else [רמב״ן]. Alternatively, it is a request for God to actively grant him a small measure of space and rescue [רמב״ן]. A distinct perspective suggests Job is actually begging God to release Satan's grip on him, as the adversary is preventing his soul from leaving his body, and Job simply wants to be allowed to die [אלשיך]. In contrast to the idea of God looking away, another interpretation suggests Job is asking for God's direct attention, pleading with Him to look closely and realize just how few his days truly are [רמב״ן].

Ultimately, the singular goal behind all these desperate pleas is for Job to gather his remaining strength [רלב״ג, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, תקות אנוש]. He longs to experience just a small measure of tranquility and peace [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם] before his life reaches its final end.