Job 6:4-14

4 For (now) the arrows of the Lord be in me, the indignation of which drinketh up my spirit; and the dreads of the Lord fight against me (and the terrors from the Lord fight against me).

5 Whether a field ass shall roar, when he hath grass? Either whether an ox shall low, when he standeth before a full cratch? (Will a donkey bray, when he hath grass? Or shall an ox low, when he standeth before a full feed box?)

6 Either whether a thing unsavory may be eaten, which is not made savory by salt? (Or can an unsavory thing be eaten, which is not first made savory with salt?) Either whether any man may taste a thing, which (once) tasted bringeth death? For why to an hungry soul, yea, bitter things seem to be sweet;

7 those things which my soul would not touch before, be now my meats for anguish. (those things which I enjoyed before, now be the foods which make me sick.)

8 Who giveth, or granteth, that mine asking come to me; and that God give to me that thing, that I abide? (and that God give me that thing, that I wait for?)

9 And he that hath begun to punish, all-break he me; loose he his hand, and cut he me down? (And he who hath begun to punish me, now all-break he me; let him loose his hand, and cut me down!)

10 And this be comfort to me, that he torment me with sorrow, and spare not, and that I against-say not the words of the Holy. (And this be my comfort, that though he torment me with sorrow, and spare me not, I have not said anything against the words of the Holy One.)

11 For what is my strength, that I suffer? either which is mine end, that I suffer it patiently? (For what is my strength, so that I can endure? and what is my end, so that I can endure it patiently?)

12 Neither my strength is the strength of stones, neither my flesh is of brass. (Neither my strength is like the strength of stones, nor my flesh is like that of bronze.)

13 Lo! none help is to me in me (Lo! there is no help for me in me); and also my necessary friends (have) parted from me.

14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the dread of the Lord. (He who taketh away love from his friend, forgetteth the fear of the Lord/abandoneth reverence for the Lord.)

Job 6:4-14 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.