Job 6: Job answers: my anguish, my brothers, my cause
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
Job answers. He says his anguish would be heavier than the sand of the seas and that the arrows of the Almighty are within him, and he asks that God would crush him and cut him off. He says his brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook that passes away, and asks to be taught his error and to be looked at. He ends by saying that his cause is righteous.
Who is speaking?
God does not speak in this chapter, so nothing is in gold. The narrator speaks only in verse 1: Job answered. Job speaks in verses 2 to 30. In verses 22 and 23 he asks whether he ever said certain things: "Give to me", "Offer a present for me from your substance", "Deliver me from the adversary's hand" and "Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors". Those quoted words are the ones he asks about, not words he says were spoken. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Then Job answered,
In plain English: Then Job answered,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
In plain English: Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.
In plain English: For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. Therefore my words have been rash.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
In plain English: For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
In plain English: Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
In plain English: Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg (the Hebrew words may be: the slime of purslane: see the note)?
The Hebrew words: "The white of an egg" is two Hebrew words, rir and challamuth. The dictionary gives rir as "saliva; by resemblance, broth" and challamuth as "probably purslain". Challamuth is in this verse only in the whole Bible. Rir is in 2 verses of the Bible, here and , where the WEB says "spittle".
What changes: With the dictionary words the second question reads: is there any taste in the saliva (or broth) of purslane, a plant? The WEB reads the white of an egg. The text does not rule between them.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
In plain English: My soul refuses to touch them. They are like loathsome food to me.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
In plain English: Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
In plain English: even that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
In plain English: Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that does not spare, that I have not denied (or: hidden) the words of the Holy One.
The Hebrew words: "The Holy One" is qadosh, the same word as "holy ones" in . "Denied" is kachad, which the dictionary gives as "to secrete, by act or word" and "to destroy". It is in 30 verses of the Bible, and the WEB says "denied" in 1 of them, this one. In it is the same word, and the WEB says "cut off".
What changes: With "hidden" the line says Job has not hidden the words of the Holy One. The text does not say who the Holy One is, or which words are meant.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
In plain English: What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient (the Hebrew says: that I should prolong my life)?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
In plain English: Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
In plain English: Is it not that I have no help in me, and that wisdom is driven away from me?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
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.
In plain English: To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend, even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty (the Hebrew has no word for "even": see the note).
The Hebrew words: "Kindness" is chesed, which the dictionary gives as "kindness" and, "towards God", "piety". It is in 3 verses of Job, and the WEB says "kindness" in all 3. Word by word this verse reads: "to the despairing, from his friend, kindness, and the fear of the Almighty he forsakes". There is no word for "even".
What changes: The WEB reads that kindness should be shown even to one who forsakes the fear of the Almighty. The Hebrew can also be read with the forsaking by the friend, who then forsakes the fear of the Almighty. The text does not rule between them.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
In plain English: My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, like the channel of brooks that pass away,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
In plain English: which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
In plain English: In the dry season they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
In plain English: The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
In plain English: The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
The Hebrew words: "Tema" is Tema, which the dictionary gives as "Tema, a son of Ishmael, and the region settled by him". It is in this verse only in Job. "Sheba" is Sheba, which the dictionary gives as "Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district". It is in 2 verses of Job, here and , where the WEB says "Sabeans".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
In plain English: They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
In plain English: For now you are nothing (or: you have become it: see the note). You see a terror, and are afraid.
The Hebrew word: The Hebrew word lo here is spelled so that it can be read "not" or "to it" (or: to him). Word by word, with "to it", the line reads "you have become to it". The WEB reads "you are nothing".
What changes: With "to it" the line could be read "you have become it", and the "it" could point back to the brooks of the verses before. The text does not say what "it" is.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?
In plain English: Did I ever say, 'Give to me'? Or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance'?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
In plain English: Or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
In plain English: Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
In plain English: How forcible (or: painful) are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
The Hebrew words: "Forcible" is marats, which the dictionary gives as "properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to be pungent or vehement; to irritate". It is in 4 verses of the Bible, and the WEB says "forcible" in 1 of them, this one. Word by word the meaning is "painful". "Reproof" and "reprove" are yakach, which the dictionary gives as "to be right (i.e. correct)", "to argue" and "to decide, justify or convict". It is in 15 verses of Job, and the WEB says "reprove" in 4 of them.
What changes: With "painful" the first half reads: how painful are words of uprightness. With "argue" or "prove" the second half reads: what does your arguing prove? The text does not rule between the readings.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
26Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
In plain English: Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
27Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
In plain English: Yes, you would even cast lots (the Hebrew words say: make fall) for the fatherless, and make merchandise of (or: bargain over, or: plot against) your friend.
The Hebrew words: Word by word the first half reads "you would make fall on a fatherless one". The Hebrew words do not show a word for "lots", and the WEB supplies it. "Make merchandise of" is karah, which the dictionary gives as "to purchase", and word by word it reads "you may bargain over your friend". The same spelling is also the Hebrew word for digging, which the dictionary gives as "properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot".
What changes: Without "lots" the first half is open: you would make something fall on the fatherless, and the text does not say what. With the digging word the second half could read that you would plot against your friend. The text does not rule between them.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
28Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
In plain English: Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
29Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
In plain English: Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous (the Hebrew says: my righteousness is in it).
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
30Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
In plain English: Is there injustice on my tongue? Can my taste not discern mischievous things?
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.