Job 6:17-27

17 They vanish during a scorching summer. In the heat their riverbeds dry up.
18 They change their course. They go into a wasteland and disappear.
19 Caravans from Tema look for them. Travelers from Sheba search for them.
20 They are ashamed because they relied on the streams. Arriving there, they are disappointed.
21 "So you are as unreliable to me [as they are]. You see something terrifying, and you are afraid.
22 Did I ever say, 'Give me a gift,' or 'Offer me a bribe from your wealth,'
23 or 'Rescue me from an enemy,' or 'Ransom me from a tyrant'?
24 Teach me, and I'll be silent. Show me where I've been wrong.
25 How painful an honest discussion can be! In correcting me, you correct yourselves!
26 Do you think my words need correction? Do you think they're what a desperate person says to the wind?
27 Would you also throw dice for an orphan? Would you buy and sell your friend?

Job 6:17-27 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.

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