Job 6:10-20

10 This would be my comfort; I would even exult[a] in pain 1unsparing, for I have not denied the words of 2the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
13 Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?
14 "He who 3withholds[b] kindness from a 4friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My 5brothers are 6treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential 7streams that pass away,
16 which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.
17 When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into 8the waste and perish.
19 The caravans of 9Tema look, the travelers of 10Sheba hope.
20 They are 11ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are 12disappointed.

Job 6:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 6

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to the speech of Eliphaz in the two foregoing; he first excuses his impatience by the greatness of his afflictions, which, if weighed by good and impartial hands, would be found to be heavier than the sand of the sea, and which words were wanting to express, Job 6:1-3; and the reason why they were so heavy is given, they being the arrows and terrors of the Almighty, Job 6:4; and by various similes he shows that his moans and complaints under them need not seem strange and unreasonable, Job 6:5-7; and what had been said not being convincing to him, he continues in the same sentiment and disposition of mind, and wishes to be removed by death out of his miserable condition, and gives his reasons for it, Job 6:8-13; and though his case was such as required pity from his friends, yet this he had not from them, but represents them as deceitful, and as having sadly disappointed him, and therefore he neither hoped nor asked for anything of them, Job 6:14-23; and observes that their words and arguments were of no force and weight with him, but harmful and pernicious, Job 6:24-27; and in his turn gives them some exhortations and instructions, and signifies that he was as capable of discerning between right and wrong as they, with which this chapter is concluded, Job 6:28-30.

Cross References 12

  • 1. [Isaiah 30:14]
  • 2. Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 57:15; Hosea 11:9
  • 3. [Proverbs 11:24]
  • 4. [Proverbs 17:17]
  • 5. [Psalms 38:11; Psalms 41:9]
  • 6. [1 Samuel 14:33]
  • 7. [Jeremiah 15:18]
  • 8. [Genesis 1:2; Jeremiah 4:23]
  • 9. Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 1:30; Isaiah 21:14; Jeremiah 25:23
  • 10. See 1 Kings 10:1
  • 11. Isaiah 1:29; Jeremiah 14:3
  • 12. Isaiah 1:29; Jeremiah 14:3

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
  • [b]. Syriac, Vulgate (compare Targum); the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.