Job 6:28

28 "So now, I beg you, look at me! Would I lie to your face?

Job 6:28 Meaning and Commentary

Job 6:28

Now therefore be content
Or, "may it now please you" {f}; Job addresses them in a respectful manner, and entreats them they would be so kind as to look favourably on him, and entertain better thoughts of him; and give a fresh and friendly hearing of his case, when he doubted not he should be acquitted by them of the charge of iniquity, and that his cause would appear to be a righteous one:

look upon me:
upon my countenance; and see if you can find any traces of fear and falsehood, of dishonesty and hypocrisy, of shame and blushing; and observe if there is not all the appearance of an honest mind, of a good conscience within, that has nothing to fear from the strictest examination; or look upon my body, covered all over with boils and ulcers, and see if there is not occasion for those expressions of grief, and those heavy complaints that I have made; or rather, look upon me with an eye of pity and compassion, with affection, favour, and benevolence, and not bear so hard upon me:

for [it is] evident unto you if I lie;
or, it is "before your faces" {g}; should I attempt to deceive you by telling you a parcel of lies, you would soon discern the falsehood in my countenance; you would easily find it out in my words, which would issue in my shame and confusion; I could not expect to go undetected by men of such sagacity and penetration; but I am not afraid of the most diligent scrutiny that can be made into my words and actions.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (wlyawh htew) "sed nunc placeat vebis", Schmidt.
F7 (Mkynp le) "coram facie vestra", Bolducius, Schultens; Ben Melech interprets it, "by your life if I lie", as being an oath.

Job 6:28 In-Context

26 Do you think [your own] words constitute argument, while the speech of a desperate man is merely wind?

27 I suppose you would even throw dice for an orphan or barter away your friend!

28 "So now, I beg you, look at me! Would I lie to your face?

29 Think it over, please; don't let wrong be done. Think it over again: my cause is just.

30 Am I saying something wrong? Can't I recognize trouble when I taste it?