Job 6:15-20

Listen to Job 6:15-20
15 My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow
16 and become darkened[a] because of ice, and the snow melts into them.
17 The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather.
18 Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look [for these streams]. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.
20 They are ashamed because they had been confident [of finding water]. When they arrive there, they are frustrated.[b]

Job 6:15-20 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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Footnotes 2

  • [a] Or turbid
  • [b] Jr 14:3; Am 4:8
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