Job 6:14-24

14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; Even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself:

17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.

19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came there, and were confounded.

21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' Or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'

23 Or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'

24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Job 6:14-24 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.