Job 6:14-30

14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow
16 when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow,
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go off into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.
20 They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed.
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth,
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?
24 “Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.
25 How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?
26 Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind?
27 You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.
28 “But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face?
29 Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.[a]
30 Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice?

Job 6:14-30 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 26

  • 1. S Job 4:5
  • 2. 1 Samuel 20:42; Job 15:4
  • 3. Job 12:4; Job 17:2,6; Job 19:19,21; Job 21:3; Job 30:1,10; Psalms 38:11; Psalms 69:20; 1 John 3:17
  • 4. S Genesis 17:1
  • 5. Job 13:4; Job 16:2; Job 21:34; Psalms 22:1; Psalms 38:11; Jeremiah 15:18
  • 6. Psalms 147:18
  • 7. Job 24:19
  • 8. S Genesis 25:15; Isaiah 21:14
  • 9. S Genesis 10:7,28
  • 10. Jeremiah 14:3; Joel 1:11
  • 11. Psalms 38:11
  • 12. S Numbers 35:31; Job 33:24; Psalms 49:7
  • 13. Jeremiah 15:10
  • 14. S 2 Kings 19:19
  • 15. S Job 2:10; Job 33:33; Psalms 39:1; Psalms 141:3; Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 17:27; Ecclesiastes 5:2
  • 16. Job 19:4
  • 17. Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 22:23
  • 18. S ver 3; S Genesis 41:6; Job 8:2; Job 15:3; Job 16:3; Jeremiah 5:13
  • 19. Ezekiel 24:6; Joel 3:3; Obadiah 1:11; Nahum 3:10; 2 Peter 2:3
  • 20. S Exodus 22:22,24; Job 31:17,21; Isaiah 10:2
  • 21. Job 9:15; Job 24:25; Job 27:4; Job 32:10; Job 33:1,3; Job 34:6; Job 36:3,4
  • 22. Job 19:6; Job 27:2; Job 40:8; Isaiah 40:27
  • 23. S Job 2:3
  • 24. Job 9:21; Job 10:7; Job 11:2; Job 12:4; Job 23:7,10; Job 33:9,32; Job 34:5,36; Job 35:2; Job 42:6; Psalms 66:10; Zechariah 13:9
  • 25. Job 27:4
  • 26. Job 12:11

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "my righteousness still stands"
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