Job 6:1-7

Job

1 Then Job replied:
2 “If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales!
3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been impetuous.
4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshaled against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow[a] ?
7 I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.

Job 6:1-7 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 15

  • 1. Job 31:6; Proverbs 11:1; Daniel 5:27
  • 2. 1 Kings 4:29; Proverbs 27:3
  • 3. ver 11,26; Job 7:11; Job 16:6; Job 21:4; Job 23:2
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 32:23; Psalms 38:2
  • 5. S Genesis 17:1
  • 6. Job 7:20; Job 16:12,13; Job 19:12; Lamentations 3:12
  • 7. Job 21:20
  • 8. S Deuteronomy 32:32; Job 30:21; Job 34:6; Jeremiah 15:18; Jeremiah 30:12
  • 9. Job 9:34; Job 13:21; Job 18:11; Job 23:6; Job 27:20; Job 30:15; Job 33:16
  • 10. S Job 3:23; Psalms 88:15-18
  • 11. S Genesis 16:12
  • 12. Job 30:7
  • 13. Job 24:6; Isaiah 30:24
  • 14. Job 33:20; Psalms 107:18
  • 15. S Job 3:24

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
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