Job 6:12

12 Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

Job 6:12 Meaning and Commentary

Job 6:12

[Is] my strength the strength of stones?
&c.] Is it like such especially which are foundation and corner stones that support a building? or like a stone pillar, that will bear a prodigious weight? no, it is not:

or [is] my flesh of brass?
is it made of brass? or is it like to brass for hardness, or for sustaining any weight laid on it? it is not; and, therefore, it cannot bear up under the ponderous load of afflictions on it, but must sink and fail; it is but flesh and blood, and that flesh like grass, weak and feeble; and, therefore, death is better than life laden with such an insupportable burden.

Job 6:12 In-Context

10 It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What strength do I have that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

13 Since I cannot help myself, [the hope for] success has been banished from me.

14 A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.