Job 6:14-30

14 “He who ¹withholds^[a] kindness from a ²friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 My ³brothers are ⁴treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential ⁵streams that pass away,

16 which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

17 When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18 The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into ⁶the waste and perish.

19 The caravans of ⁷Tema look, the travelers of ⁸Sheba hope.

20 They are ⁹ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are ¹⁰disappointed.

21 For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.

22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’? Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of ¹¹the ruthless’?

24 “Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

25 How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?

26 Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is ¹²wind?

27 You would even ¹³cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

28 “But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.

29 ¹⁴Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30 Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

Job 6:14-30 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.

Cross References

• 1. 6:14 [Prov. 11:24]
• 2. 6:14 [Prov. 17:17]
• 3. 6:15 [Ps. 38:11; 41:9]
• 4. 6:15 [1 Sam. 14:33]
• 5. 6:15 [Jer. 15:18]
• 6. 6:18 [Gen. 1:2; Jer. 4:23]
• 7. 6:19 Gen. 25:15; 1 Chr. 1:30; Isa. 21:14; Jer. 25:23
• 8. 6:19 See 1 Kgs. 10:1
• 9. 6:20 Isa. 1:29; Jer. 14:3
• 10. 6:20 Isa. 1:29; Jer. 14:3
• 11. 6:23 ch. 15:20; 27:13
• 12. 6:26 ch. 7:7; Isa. 41:29
• 13. 6:27 Joel 3:3; Nah. 3:10
• 14. 6:29 ch. 17:10

Footnotes

• [a] 6:14 Syriac, Vulgate (compare Targum); the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain