Job 6:5-15

5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.
8 "Oh that I might have my request; That God would grant the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Be it still my consolation, Yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?
13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?
14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; Even to him who forsakes the fear of Shaddai.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

Job 6:5-15 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.

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.