Job 6:13

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

Job 6:13 Meaning and Commentary

Job 6:13

[Is] my help in me?
&c.] Or "my defence" F25, as some; is it not in my power to defend myself against the calumnies and reproaches cast upon me? it is; and, though one have no help in myself to bear my burdens, or extricate myself out of my difficulties, yet I have the testimony of a good conscience within me, that supports me; and I have the strength and force of reason and argument on my side, to defend me against all objectors:

and is wisdom driven from me?
either sound doctrine, the law F26, or, rather, the Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, revealed in the words of the Holy One before mentioned; or wisdom in the hidden part, the fear of God, which is wisdom, true grace in the heart, which, when once implanted, can never be driven out; or natural reason and understanding, of which he was not bereaved; for, though his body was thus sorely afflicted, he retained his reasoning and intellectual faculties. The words, in connection with the former, may be read, "what, if help is not with me, is wisdom also driven quite from me?"


FOOTNOTES:

F1 does it follow, because I am not able to help myself out of this afflicted and distressed condition in which I am, that I am deprived of my reason? or be it that I am such a weak impotent creature, and even distracted, as you take me to be, should I not then rather be pitied than insulted? so some F2 connect the words following.


F25 (yb ytrze) "defensio mea penes me", Junius et Tremellius, Piscator.
F26 (hyvwt) "lex", Mercerus; so Peritsol.
F1 So Cocceius and Schultens.
F2 So De Dieu.

Job 6:13 In-Context

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.
15 My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow
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