Job 6:14-21

He accuses his friends

14 Are friends loyal to the one who despairs, or do they stop fearing the Almighty?
15 My companions are treacherous like a stream in the desert, like channels that overrun their streambeds,
16 like those darkened by thawing ice, in which snow is obscured
17 but that stop flowing in dry times and vanish from their channels in heat.
18 Caravans turn aside from their paths; they go up into untamed areas and perish.
19 Caravans from Tema look; merchants from Sheba hope for it.
20 They are ashamed that they trusted; they arrive and are dismayed.
21 That's what you are like; you see something awful and are afraid.

Job 6:14-21 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.

Footnotes 2

Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible