Job 6:1-7

Job’s Second Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

1 Then Job answered and said,
2 "If only my vexation could be well weighed, and my calamity could be lifted up together [with it] in [the] balances,
3 for then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words have been rash,
4 for the arrows of Shaddai [are] in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does [the] wild ass bray over grass, or [the] ox bellow over its fodder?
6 Can tasteless [food] be eaten without salt, or is there taste in the white of a marshmallow plant?
7 {I refused} to touch [them]; they [are] like {food that will make me ill}.

Job 6:1-7 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 4

  • [a]. Hebrew "And"
  • [b]. Hebrew "from without"
  • [c]. Literally "My soul/throat refuses"
  • [d]. Literally "the illness of my bread/food"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.