Job 6:10-20

10 Then I would feel consoled; so that even in the face of unending pain, I would be able to rejoice; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 "Have I enough strength to go on waiting? What end can I expect, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh made of bronze?

13 Clearly, I have no help in myself; common sense has been driven from me.

14 "A friend should be kind to an unhappy man, even to one who abandons Shaddai.

15 But my brothers are as deceptive as vadis, as vadi streams that soon run dry;

16 they may turn dark with ice and be hidden by piled-up snow;

17 but as the weather warms up, they vanish; when it's hot, they disappear.

18 Their courses turn this way and that; they go up into the confusing waste and are lost.

19 The caravans from Tema look for them, the travelers from Sh'va hope to find them;

20 but they are disappointed, because they were confident; on arrival there, they are frustrated.

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.