Job 16:6

6 But what shall I do? If I speak, my sorrow resteth not; and if I am still, it goeth not away from me.

Job 16:6 Meaning and Commentary

Job 16:6

Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged
Though he spoke to God in prayer, and entreated for some abatement of his sorrows, he got no relief; and though he spoke to himself in soliloquies, his sorrow was not repressed nor lessened; he could not administer comfort to himself in the present case, though he might to others in like circumstances, if his own were changed;

and [though] I forbear
speaking, hold my peace, and say nothing,

what am I eased?
or "what goes from me" F20? not anything of my trouble or grief; sometimes a man speaking of his troubles to his friends gives vent to his grief, and he is somewhat eased; and on the other hand being silent about it, he forgets it, and it goes off; but in neither of those ways could Job be released: or it may be his sense is, that when he spake of his affliction, and attempted to vindicate his character, he was represented as an impatient and passionate man, if not as blasphemous, so that his grief was rather increased than assuaged; and if he was silent, that was interpreted a consciousness of his guilt; so that, let him take what course he would, it was much the same, he could get no ease nor comfort.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (Klxy ynm hm) "quid a me abit", Junius & Tremellius, Schultens.

Job 16:6 In-Context

4 Also I might speak things like to you, and I would, that your soul were for my soul; and I would comfort you by words, and I would move mine head on you; (I could also speak words like you, and if you were in my place, I could discomfort you with such words, and I could wag my head at you.)
5 I would (rather) make you strong by my mouth, and I would move my lips as sparing you. (But I would rather make you strong with my mouth, yea, with encouraging words, and I would rather move my lips to say things to comfort you.)
6 But what shall I do? If I speak, my sorrow resteth not; and if I am still, it goeth not away from me.
7 But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs be driven into nought.
8 My rivellings say witnessing against me, and a false speaker is raised up against my face, and against-saith me. (My wrinkles testify against me, and a liar is raised up before me, and speaketh against me.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.