Job 6:11

11 "Have I enough strength to go on waiting? What end can I expect, that I should be patient?

Job 6:11 Meaning and Commentary

Job 6:11

What [is] my strength, that I should hope?
&c.] For a perfect restoration of health, suggested by Eliphaz; since it was so sadly weakened by the present affliction, which made death more desirable than life lengthened out in so much weakness, pain, and sorrow; or "that I should bear" ^F23, such a weight and heavy load that lay upon him, and crushed him, and to which his strength was not equal; or continue and endure ^F24;

what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?
what end can be answered by living, or desiring a long life? His children were gone, and none left to take care of and provide for; his substance was taken away from him, so that he had not to support himself, nor to be useful to others, to the poor; he had lost all power, authority, and influence, among men, and could be no more serviceable by his counsel and advice, and by the administration of justice and equity as a civil magistrate; and as to religious matters, he was reckoned an hypocrite and a wicked man by his friends, and had lost his character and interest as a good man; and so for him to live could answer no valuable end, and, therefore, he desires to die; for what is here, and in ( Job 6:12 Job 6:13 ) said, contain reasons of his above request.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (lxya yk) (oti upomenw) , Sept. "ut sustineam", V. L.
F24 "Ut durem", Junius & Tremellius.

Job 6:11 In-Context

9 that God would decide to crush me, that he would let his hand loose and cut me off!

10 Then I would feel consoled; so that even in the face of unending pain, I would be able to rejoice; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 "Have I enough strength to go on waiting? What end can I expect, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh made of bronze?

13 Clearly, I have no help in myself; common sense has been driven from me.