Iyov 6:18

18 The paths of their derech wind about; they go up to tohu [Gn 1:2], and perish.

Iyov 6:18 Meaning and Commentary

Job 6:18

The paths of their way are turned aside
That is, the waters, when melted by the heat of the sun, and the warmth of the weather, run, some one way, and some another in little streams and windings, till they are quite lost and the tracks of them are no more to be seen; denoting that all appearance of friendship was quite gone, and no traces of it to be found:

they go to nothing, and perish:
some of them are lost in little meanders and windings about, and others are exhaled by the heat of the sun, and go into "Tohu", as the word is, into empty air; so vain and empty, and perishing, were all the comforts he hoped for from his friends; though some understand this of the paths of travellers in the deserts being covered in the sand, and not to be seen and found; of which see Pliny F26.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 Nat. Hist. l. 6. c. 29.

Iyov 6:18 In-Context

16 Which are blackish muddy by reason of the kerakh (ice), and wherein the sheleg (snow) is melted.
17 What season they become warm, they vanish; when it is hot, they disappear from their makom.
18 The paths of their derech wind about; they go up to tohu [Gn 1:2], and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked for them; the halichot (traveling companies) of Sheva hoped for them.
20 They were disappointed because of their bitachon; they come there and are confounded.
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