Job 16:6

6 "If I speak, it doesn't help me. And if I keep quiet, my pain doesn't go away.

Job 16:6 Meaning and Commentary

Job 16:6

Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged
Though he spoke to God in prayer, and entreated for some abatement of his sorrows, he got no relief; and though he spoke to himself in soliloquies, his sorrow was not repressed nor lessened; he could not administer comfort to himself in the present case, though he might to others in like circumstances, if his own were changed;

and [though] I forbear
speaking, hold my peace, and say nothing,

what am I eased?
or "what goes from me" F20? not anything of my trouble or grief; sometimes a man speaking of his troubles to his friends gives vent to his grief, and he is somewhat eased; and on the other hand being silent about it, he forgets it, and it goes off; but in neither of those ways could Job be released: or it may be his sense is, that when he spake of his affliction, and attempted to vindicate his character, he was represented as an impatient and passionate man, if not as blasphemous, so that his grief was rather increased than assuaged; and if he was silent, that was interpreted a consciousness of his guilt; so that, let him take what course he would, it was much the same, he could get no ease nor comfort.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (Klxy ynm hm) "quid a me abit", Junius & Tremellius, Schultens.

Job 16:6 In-Context

4 If you and I changed places, I could say the same things you are saying. I could make fine speeches against you. I could shake my head at you.
5 But what I might say would give you hope. My words of comfort would help you.
6 "If I speak, it doesn't help me. And if I keep quiet, my pain doesn't go away.
7 God has worn me out completely. He has destroyed my whole family.
8 People can see the condition he has put me in. My thin body stands as a witness against me.
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