Job 6:3-13

3 "For then it would be 1heavier than the sand of the seas; Therefore * my words have been rash.
4 "For the 2arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their 3poison my spirit drinks; The 4terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 "Does the 5wild donkey bray over his grass, Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 "Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 "My soul 6refuses to touch them; They are like loathsome food to me.
8 "Oh * that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing!
9 "Would that God were 7willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!
10 "But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing * pain, That I 8have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 "What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should 9endure *?
12 "Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?
13 "Is it that my 10help is not within me, And that 11deliverance is driven from me?

Job 6:3-13 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 11

  • 1. Job 23:2
  • 2. Job 16:13; Psalms 38:2
  • 3. Job 20:16; Job 21:20
  • 4. Job 30:15
  • 5. Job 39:5-8
  • 6. Job 3:24; Job 33:20
  • 7. Numbers 11:15; 1 Kings 19:4; Job 7:16; Job 9:21; Job 10:1
  • 8. Job 22:22; Job 23:11, 12
  • 9. Job 21:4
  • 10. Job 26:2
  • 11. Job 26:3

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Lit "Whose"
  • [b]. Heb "hallamuth," meaning uncertain. Perhaps the juice of a plant
  • [c]. Lit "hidden"
  • [d]. Lit "prolong my soul"
  • [e]. So ancient versions
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