Job 6:13-23

13 Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me?
14 "To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,
16 Which are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes.
17 When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them.
20 They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.
21 For now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid.
22 Did I ever say, 'Bring something to me'? Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth'?
23 Or, 'Deliver me from the enemy's hand'? Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of oppressors'?

Job 6:13-23 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.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.