Job 6:13-23

13 Am I not doing all that I can, and even with all this I lack the power to do anything?
14 He that is afflicted deserves mercy from his friend; but he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have lied to me as a brook; they passed away as an impetuous stream,
16 which was hidden by ice and covered by snow.
17 Which in the time of heat, they vanish; when they are heated, they disappear out of their place;
18 they turn aside out of the paths of their way; they go to nothing and perish.
19 The travelers of Tema looked; the traveling companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came there and found them confused.
21 Now ye are certainly as they; ye have seen the torment and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me and pay for me out of your substance
23 and deliver me from the enemy’s hand and ransom me from the hand of the mighty?

Job 6:13-23 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.

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010