Job — Chapter 6

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1But Job answered and said,

2O that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

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

20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

21For now ye are no thing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

1Then Job answered and said,

2Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7My soul refuseth to touch [them]; They are as loathsome food to me.

8Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!

9Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

13Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?

14To him that is ready to faint kindness [should be showed] from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

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

16Which are black by reason of the ice, [And] wherein the snow hideth itself:

17What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18The caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.

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

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

21For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

22Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

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

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

25How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

26Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

27Yea, ye would cast [lots] upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.

28Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

29Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

30Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

1Then Job responded:

2“Oh, if only my grief could be weighed, and my misfortune laid on the scales too!

3But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea, that is why my words have been wild.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God’s sudden terrors are arrayed against me.

5“Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox bellow over its fodder?

6Can food that is tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7I have refused to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me.

8“Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for!

9And that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and kill me.

10Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

12Is my strength like that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

13Is not my power to help myself nothing, and has not every resource been driven from me?

14“To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15My brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream, and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away.

16They are dark because of ice; snow is piled up over them.

17When they are scorched, they dry up, when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.

19The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams; the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them.

20They were distressed because each one had been so confident; they arrived there, but were disappointed.

21For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror and are afraid.

22“Have I ever said, ‘Give me something, and from your fortune make gifts in my favor’?

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s power, and from the hand of tyrants ransom me’?

24“Teach me, and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken.

25How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove?

26Do you intend to criticize mere words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind?

27Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend.

28“Now then, be good enough to look at me; and I will not lie to your face!

29Relent, let there be no falsehood; reconsider, for my righteousness is intact!

30Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern evil things?

1Then Job answered,

2“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.

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.

5Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

6Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7My 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,

9even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10Be 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.

11What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

13Isn’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 the Almighty.

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

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

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

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

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

20They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

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

22Did I say, ‘Give to me?’ or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’

23or, ‘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.

25How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

26Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

27Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

28Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

29Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

30Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Job's first reply to Eliphaz — defends the legitimacy of his anguish, compares his friends to unreliable wadis, and challenges them to show him where he has sinned.

Authorship & Background

Author: Unknown. Candidates include Job himself, Moses, Solomon, or an anonymous sage. Likely the oldest book in the Bible by setting (patriarchal era, approximately 2000-1800 BC), though the date of composition is debated. The book addresses the problem of innocent suffering and God's sovereignty. Key themes: Why do the righteous suffer? Is God just? Can faith survive without answers? The inadequacy of simplistic theology ('you suffer because you sinned'). God's sovereignty transcends human understanding. True worship says 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him' (13:15).
Historical Context: Chapter 6 is Job's first reply to Eliphaz, continuing through chapter 7. Job does not directly refute Eliphaz's theology — instead he defends the intensity of his complaint, expresses his desire for death, and rebukes his friends for their failure as comforters. The speech is deeply emotional: Job compares his grief to sand on a scale (immeasurably heavy), describes God's arrows poisoning his spirit, and compares his friends to seasonal streams that fail travelers when most needed. The chapter reveals Job at his most vulnerable — asking not for theological debate but for simple human kindness. His closing challenge — "Show me where I have erred" (v.24) — goes unanswered because the friends cannot actually point to specific sin.
The Weight of Grief (vv.1-7): Job justifies his earlier outburst (ch. 3): if his grief were weighed, it would be "heavier than the sand of the sea" (v.3). His words were "rash" (ESV) or "swallowed up" (KJV) because his pain is incomprehensible. The "arrows of the Almighty" are in him — God's terrors arrayed against him (v.4). He uses an animal analogy (v.5): a donkey doesn't bray when it has grass; an ox doesn't low over fodder — they cry out only when they lack. Job's cries prove something is genuinely, desperately wrong. His suffering is not drama — it is proportional response.
The Desire for Death (vv.8-13): Job wishes God would "crush me" and "cut me off" (v.9). This would be his "comfort" — because even in death, he would have the consolation of never having "denied the words of the Holy One" (v.10). He asks: what strength do I have to keep waiting? "Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?" (v.12). He is not superhuman — he is mortal, weak, and running out of endurance. This is not self-pity but honest assessment of human limits.
Friends Like Dried-Up Streams (vv.14-21): One of Job's most powerful images. His friends are like wadis — seasonal streams in the desert that are full in winter but dry up in summer heat. Caravans from Tema and Sheba travel toward them expecting water and find nothing — they "are ashamed because they were confident" (v.20, ESV). The application is devastating: "For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid" (v.21). The friends have no water to offer when Job needs it most. They are afraid of his suffering — it threatens their theology.
Challenge to the Friends (vv.22-30): Job has not asked them for money, rescue, or intervention — only for understanding. "Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred" (v.24). If they can show specific sin, he will be silent. But they cannot — they deal in generalities and theory. "How forcible are right words!" (v.25) — Job acknowledges that truth has power, but asks: what does their "arguing" actually prove? He closes with a plea: "Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it" (v.29) — look at me again with fresh eyes; my integrity is at stake.

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik highlights the wadi metaphor as Job's most devastating rebuke of his friends. They appeared substantial — like full streams — but when he actually needed them, they had nothing to offer. Their theology was seasonal: adequate for fair weather but dry in the heat of real crisis. Guzik also notes that v.14 (the duty of kindness to the afflicted) is a rebuke that applies to the church today — many suffering people are failed not by God but by God's people who offer theology when they should offer tears.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "Job asked his friends one simple question: 'Show me where I have erred.' They could not do it. They had theories, systems, traditions, and night visions — but they could not point to a single specific sin that Job had committed. When you accuse a man, you must have evidence. General suspicion is not conviction. The friends condemned Job on principle rather than proof, and for this God later condemned them."

Videos

The Bible Project — Job Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Grief has weight, and it deserves acknowledgment (vv.2-3). Job does not apologize for the intensity of his complaint — he explains it. When someone expresses extreme pain, do not minimize it. Ask: what is the weight of sand they are carrying? Proportional pain produces proportional cries. Honor that.
  • 2. Friends fail when suffering frightens them (v.21). "Ye see my casting down, and are afraid." The friends are scared by Job's condition — it threatens their worldview. Many people abandon the suffering not from cruelty but from fear. They cannot face what they cannot explain. Be the friend who stays when it scares you.
  • 3. Kindness to the afflicted is not optional (v.14). Withholding compassion from a suffering person is not neutrality — it is a failure in godliness. The ESV reading makes this explicit: to withhold kindness "forsakes the fear of the Almighty." How you treat the suffering reveals your relationship with God.
  • 4. Demand evidence before accepting accusations (v.24). Job's challenge stands: show me the specific sin. Vague accusations of unworthiness are worthless. If you are being accused, ask for specifics. If they cannot provide them, their accusation has no substance. Resist the temptation to accept guilt you have not earned.
  • 5. The duty of honest reassessment (v.29). "Return... my righteousness is in it." Job asks his friends to look again — to reconsider. Are you willing to reconsider a judgment you've already made about someone? Humility means being willing to say "I was wrong about you."