Job 6:18-28

18 "The paths of their course wind along, They go up into nothing and perish.
19 "The caravans of 1Tema looked, The travelers of 2Sheba hoped for them.
20 "They 3were disappointed for they had trusted, They came there and were confounded.
21 "Indeed, you have now become such, 4You see a terror and are afraid.
22 "Have I said, 'Give me something,' Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,'
23 Or, 'Deliver me from the hand of the adversary,' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the tyrants '?
24 "Teach me, and 5I will be silent; And show me how I have erred.
25 "How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
26 "Do you intend to reprove my words, When the 6words of one in despair belong to the wind?
27 "You would even 7cast lots for 8the orphans And 9barter over your friend.
28 "Now please look at me, And see if I 10lie to your face.

Job 6:18-28 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 10

  • 1. Genesis 25:15; Isaiah 21:14; Jeremiah 25:23
  • 2. Job 1:15
  • 3. Jeremiah 14:3
  • 4. Psalms 38:11
  • 5. Psalms 39:1
  • 6. Job 8:2; Job 15:2; Job 16:3
  • 7. Joel 3:3; Nahum 3:10
  • 8. Job 22:9; Job 24:3, 9
  • 9. 2 Peter 2:3
  • 10. Job 27:4; Job 33:3; Job 36:4

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "caravans turn from their course, they go up into the waste and perish"
  • [b]. Lit "ashamed"
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