1 But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 For 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.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Then 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.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
1 But Job H347 answered H6030 and said, H559
2 Oh that H3863 my grief H3708 were throughly H8254 weighed, H8254 and my calamity H1942 H1962 laid H5375 in the balances H3976 together! H3162
3 For now it would be heavier H3513 than the sand H2344 of the sea: H3220 therefore my words H1697 are swallowed up. H3886
4 For the arrows H2671 of the Almighty H7706 are within H5978 me, the poison H2534 whereof drinketh up H8354 my spirit: H7307 the terrors H1161 of God H433 do set themselves in array H6186 against me.
5 Doth the wild ass H6501 bray H5101 when he hath grass? H1877 or loweth H1600 the ox H7794 over his fodder? H1098
6 Can that which is unsavoury H8602 be eaten H398 without salt? H4417 or is there H3426 any taste H2940 in the white H7388 of an egg? H2495
7 The things that my soul H5315 refused H3985 to touch H5060 are as my sorrowful H1741 meat. H3899
8 Oh that I might have H935 my request; H7596 and that God H433 would grant H5414 me the thing that I long for! H8615
9 Even that it would please H2974 God H433 to destroy H1792 me; that he would let loose H5425 his hand, H3027 and cut me off! H1214
10 Then should I yet have comfort; H5165 yea, I would harden H5539 myself in sorrow: H2427 let him not spare; H2550 for I have not concealed H3582 the words H561 of the Holy One. H6918
11 What is my strength, H3581 that I should hope? H3176 and what is mine end, H7093 that I should prolong H748 my life? H5315
12 Is my strength H3581 the strength H3581 of stones? H68 or is my flesh H1320 of brass? H5153
13 Is not my help H5833 in me? and is wisdom H8454 driven quite H5080 from me?
14 To him that is afflicted H4523 pity H2617 should be shewed from his friend; H7453 but he forsaketh H5800 the fear H3374 of the Almighty. H7706
15 My brethren H251 have dealt deceitfully H898 as a brook, H5158 and as the stream H650 of brooks H5158 they pass away; H5674
16 Which are blackish H6937 by reason of the ice, H7140 and wherein the snow H7950 is hid: H5956
17 What time H6256 they wax warm, H2215 they vanish: H6789 when it is hot, H2527 they are consumed out H1846 of their place. H4725
18 The paths H734 of their way H1870 are turned aside; H3943 they go H5927 to nothing, H8414 and perish. H6
19 The troops H734 of Tema H8485 looked, H5027 the companies H1979 of Sheba H7614 waited H6960 for them.
20 They were confounded H954 because they had hoped; H982 they came H935 thither, and were ashamed. H2659
21 For now ye are nothing; ye see H7200 my casting down, H2866 and are afraid. H3372
22 Did I say, H559 Bring H3051 unto me? or, Give a reward H7809 for me of your substance? H3581
23 Or, Deliver H4422 me from the enemy's H6862 hand? H3027 or, Redeem H6299 me from the hand H3027 of the mighty? H6184
24 Teach H3384 me, and I will hold my tongue: H2790 and cause me to understand H995 wherein I have erred. H7686
25 How forcible H4834 are right H3476 words! H561 but what doth your arguing H3198 reprove? H3198
26 Do ye imagine H2803 to reprove H3198 words, H4405 and the speeches H561 of one that is desperate, H2976 which are as wind? H7307
27 Yea, ye overwhelm H5307 the fatherless, H3490 and ye dig H3738 a pit for your friend. H7453
28 Now therefore be content, H2974 look H6437 upon me; for it is evident H6440 unto you if I lie. H3576
29 Return, H7725 I pray you, let it not be iniquity; H5766 yea, return again, H7725 my righteousness H6664 is in it.
30 Is there H3426 iniquity H5766 in my tongue? H3956 cannot my taste H2441 discern H995 perverse things? H1942
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.
4 For 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.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuseth to touch `them'; They are as loathsome food to me.
8 Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant `me' 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 And 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.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?
14 To him that is ready to faint kindness `should be showed' from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, `And' wherein the snow hideth itself:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans `that travel' by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.
21 For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?
23 Or, 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; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?
26 Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?
27 Yea, ye would cast `lots' upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
1 And Job answereth and saith: --
2 O that my provocation were thoroughly weighed, And my calamity in balances They would lift up together!
3 For now, than the sands of the sea it is heavier, Therefore my words have been rash.
4 For arrows of the Mighty `are' with me, Whose poison is drinking up my spirit. Terrors of God array themselves `for' me!
5 Brayeth a wild ass over tender grass? Loweth an ox over his provender?
6 Eaten is an insipid thing without salt? Is there sense in the drivel of dreams?
7 My soul is refusing to touch! They `are' as my sickening food.
8 O that my request may come, That God may grant my hope!
9 That God would please -- and bruise me, Loose His hand and cut me off!
10 And yet it is my comfort, (And I exult in pain -- He doth not spare,) That I have not hidden The sayings of the Holy One.
11 What `is' my power that I should hope? And what mine end That I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh brazen?
13 Is not my help with me, And substance driven from me?
14 To a despiser of his friends `is' shame, And the fear of the Mighty he forsaketh.
15 My brethren have deceived as a brook, As a stream of brooks they pass away.
16 That are black because of ice, By them doth snow hide itself.
17 By the time they are warm they have been cut off, By its being hot they have been Extinguished from their place.
18 Turn aside do the paths of their way, They ascend into emptiness, and are lost.
19 Passengers of Tema looked expectingly, Travellers of Sheba hoped for them.
20 They were ashamed that one hath trusted, They have come unto it and are confounded.
21 Surely now ye have become the same! Ye see a downfall, and are afraid.
22 Is it because I said, Give to me? And, By your power bribe for me?
23 And, Deliver me from the hand of an adversary? And, From the hand of terrible ones ransom me?
24 Shew me, and I -- I keep silent, And what I have erred, let me understand.
25 How powerful have been upright sayings, And what doth reproof from you reprove?
26 For reproof -- do you reckon words? And for wind -- sayings of the desperate.
27 Anger on the fatherless ye cause to fall, And are strange to your friend.
28 And, now, please, look upon me, Even to your face do I lie?
29 Turn back, I pray you, let it not be perverseness, Yea, turn back again -- my righteousness `is' in it.
30 Is there in my tongue perverseness? Discerneth not my palate desirable things?
1 And Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are vehement.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, their poison drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of +God are arrayed against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray by the grass? loweth an ox over his fodder?
6 Shall that which is insipid be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 What my soul refuseth to touch, that is as my loathsome food.
8 Oh that I might have my request, and that +God would grant my desire!
9 And that it would please +God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
10 Then should I yet have comfort; and in the pain which spareth not I would rejoice that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should have patience?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? is my flesh of brass?
13 Is it not that there is no help in me, and soundness is driven away from me?
14 For him that is fainting kindness [is meet] from his friend; or he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away,
16 Which are turbid by reason of the ice, in which the snow hideth itself:
17 At the time they diminish, they are dried up; when heat affecteth them, they vanish from their place:
18 They wind about in the paths of their course, they go off into the waste and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba counted on them:
20 They are ashamed at their hope; they come thither, and are confounded.
21 So now ye are nothing; ye see a terrible object and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me, and make me a present from your substance?
23 Or, rescue me from the hand of the oppressor, and redeem me from the hand of the violent?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words? The speeches of one that is desperate are indeed for the wind.
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and dig [a pit] for your friend.
28 Now therefore if ye will, look upon me; and it shall be to your face if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it.
30 Is there wrong in my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
1 Then Job answered,
2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, Therefore have my words been rash.
4 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.
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 the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself:
17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were distressed because they were confident; They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' Or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'
23 Or, '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.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do you intend to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, For surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Please return. Let there be no injustice; Yes, return again, my cause is righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?
1 And Job made answer and said,
2 If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
3 For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.
4 For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order against me.
5 Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?
6 Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?
7 My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
8 If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
9 If only he would be pleased to put an end to me; and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off!
10 So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One.
11 Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?
13 I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
14 He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
15 My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
16 Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
17 Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
18 The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
19 The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
21 So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
22 Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
23 Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones?
24 Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
25 How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
26 My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
27 Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.
28 Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
29 Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.
30 Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Job 6
Commentary on Job 6 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
1 Then began Job, and said:
2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed,
And they would put my suffering in the balance against it!
3 Then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea:
Therefore my words are rash.
4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me,
The burning poison whereof drinketh up my spirit;
The terrors of Eloah set themselves in array against me.
Vexation ( כּעשׂ ) is what Eliphaz has reproached him with ( Job 5:2). Job wishes that his vexation were placed in one scale and his היּה ( Keri הוּה ) in the other, and weighed together ( יחד ). The noun היּה ( הוּה ), from הוה ( היה ), flare, hiare , signifies properly hiatus , then vorago , a yawning gulf, χάσμα , then some dreadful calamity (vid., Hupfeld on Psalms 5:10). נשׂא , like נטל , Isaiah 11:15, to raise the balance, as pendere, to let it hang down; attollant instead of the passive. This is his desire; and if they but understood the matter, it would then be manifest ( כּי־עתּה , as Job 3:13, which see), or: indeed then would it be manifest ( כּי certainly in this inferential position has an affirmative signification: vid., Genesis 26:22; Genesis 29:32, and comp. 1 Samuel 25:34; 2 Samuel 2:27) that his suffering is heavier than the unmeasurable weight of the sand of the sea. יכבּד is neuter with reference to והיּתי . לעוּ , with the tone on the penult., which is not to be accounted for by the rhythm as in Psalms 37:20; Psalms 137:7, cannot be derived from לעה , but only from לוּע , not however in the signification to suck down, but from לוּע = לעה , Arab. lagiya or also lagâ , temere loqui, inania effutire , - a signification which suits excellently here.
(Note: ילע , Proverbs 20:25, which is doubly accented, and must be pronounced as oxytone, has also this meaning: the snare of a man who has thoughtlessly uttered what is holy (an interjectional clause = such an one has implicated himself), and after (having made) vows will harbour care (i.e., whether he will be able to fulfil them).)
His words are like those of one in delirium. עמּדי is to be explained according to Psalms 38:3; חמתם , according to Psalms 7:15. יערכוּני is short for עלי מלחמה יערכי , they make war against me, set themselves in battle array against me. Böttcher, without brachylogy: they cause me to arm myself, put one of necessity on the defensive, which does not suit the subject. The terrors of God strike down all defence. The wrath of God is irresistible. The sting of his suffering, however, is the wrath of God which his spirit drinks as a draught of poison (comp. Job 21:20), and consequently wrings from him, even from his deepest soul, the thought that God is become his enemy: therefore his is an endless suffering, and therefore is it that he speaks so despondingly.
5 Doth the wild ass bray at fresh grass?
Or loweth an ox over good fodder?
6 Is that which is tasteless eaten unsalted?
Or is there flavour in the white of an egg?
7 That which my soul refused to touch,
The same is as my loathsome food.
The meaning of the first two figures is: He would not complain, if there were really no cause for it; of the two others: It is not to be expected that he should smile at his suffering, and enjoy it as delicate food. על־בּלילו I have translated “over good fodder,” for בּליל is mixed fodder of different kinds of grain, farrago . “Without salt” is virtually adjective to תּפל , insipid, tasteless. What is without salt one does not relish, and there is no flavour in the slime of the yolk of an egg, i.e., the white of an egg (Targ.),
(Note: Saadia compares b. Aboda zara , 40, a, where it is given as a mark of the purity of the eggs in the roe of fish: מבפנים וחלמון מב מבחוץ חלבון , when the white is outside and the yellow within.)
or in the slime of purslain (according to Chalmetho in the Peschito, Arab. ḥamqâ ), fatua = purslain), which is less probable on account of ריר (slime, not: broth): there is no flavour so that it can be enjoyed. Thus is it with his sufferings. Those things which he before inwardly detested (dirt and dust of leprosy) are now sicut fastidiosa cibi mei , i.e., as loathsome food which he must eat. The first clause, Job 6:7 , must be taken as an elliptic relative clause forming the subject: vid., Ges. §123, 3, c . Such disagreeable counsel is now like his unclean, disgusting diet. Eliphaz desires him to take them as agreeable. דּוי in כּדרי is taken by Ges. Ew., Hahn, Schlottm., Olsh. (§165, b ), as constr. from דּוי , sickness, filth; but דּוי , as plur . from דּוה , sick, unclean (especially of female menstruation, Isaiah 30:22), as Heiligst. among modern commentators explains it, is far more suitable. Hitz. (as anonym. reviewer of Ewald's Job in the liter. Centralblatt ) translates: they (my sufferings) are the morsels of my food; but the explanation of המּה is not correct, nor is it necessary to go to the Arabic for an explanation of כּדרי . It is also unnecessary, with Böttcher, to read כּדוי (such is my food in accordance with my disease ); Job does not here speak of his diet as an invalid.
8 Would that my request were fulfilled,
And that Eloah would grant my expectation,
9 That Eloah were willing and would crush me,
Let loose His hand and cut me off:
10 Then I should still have comfort -
(I should exult in unsparing pain) -
That I have not disowned the words of the Holy One.
His wish refers to the ending of his suffering by death. Hupfeld prefers to read ותאותי instead of ותקותי ( Job 6:8 ); but death, which he desires, he even indeed expects. This is just the paradox, that not life, but death, is his expectation. “Cut me off,” i.e., my soul or my life, my thread of life (Job 27:8; Isaiah 38:12). The optative יתּן מי (Ges. §§136, 1) is followed by optative futt. , partly of the so-called jussive form, as יאל , velit ( Hiph . from ואל , velle ), and יתּר , solvat ( Hiph . from נתר ). In the phrase יד התּיר , the stretching out of the hand is regarded as the loosening of what was hitherto bound. The conclusion begins with וּתהי , just like Job 13:5. But it is to be asked whether by consolation speedy death is to be understood, and the clause with כּי gives the ground of his claim for the granting of the wish, - or whether he means that just this: not having disowned the words of the Holy One (comp. Job 23:11., and אמרי־אל in the mouth of Balaam, the non-Israelitish prophet, Numbers 24:4, Numbers 24:16), would be his consolation in the midst of death. With Hupfeld we decide in favour of the latter, with Psalms 119:50 in view: this consciousness of innocence is indeed throughout the whole book Job's shield and defence. If, however, נחמתי (with Kametz impurum ) points towards כּי , quod , etc., the clause ואסלּדה is parenthetical. The cohortative is found thus parenthetical with a conjunctive sense also elsewhere (Psalms 40:6; Psalms 51:18). Accordingly: my comfort - I would exult, etc. - would be that I, etc. The meaning of סלד , tripudiare , is confirmed by the lxx ἡλλόμην , in connection with the Arabic ṣalada (of a galloping horse which stamps hard with its fore-feet), according to which the Targ. also translates ואבוּע (I will rejoice).
(Note: The primary meaning of סלד , according to the Arabic, is to be hard, then, to tread hard, firm, as in pulsanda tellus ; whereas the poetry of the synagogue (Pijut) uses סלּד in the signification to supplicate, and סלד , litany (not: hymn, as Zunz gives it); and the Mishna-talmudic סלד signifies to singe, burn one's self, and to draw back affrighted.)
For יחמל לא , comp. Isaiah 30:14. (break in pieces unsparingly). יחמל לא certainly appears as though it must be referred to God (Ew., Hahn, Schlottm., and others), since חילה sounds feminine; but one can either pronounce חילה = חיל as Milel (Hitz.), or take יחמל לא adverbially, and not as an elliptical dependent clause (as Ges. §147, rem. 1), but as virtually an adjective: in pain unsparing.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait,
And my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength like the strength of stones?
Or is my flesh brazen?
13 Or am I then not utterly helpless,
And continuance is driven from me?
The meaning of the question (Job 6:11); is: Is not my strength already so wasted away, and an unfortunate end so certain to me, that a long calm waiting is as impossible as it is useless? נפשׁ האריך , to draw out the soul, is to extend and distribute the intensity of the emotion, to be forbearing, to be patient. The question (Job 6:11) is followed by אם , usual in double questions: or is my strength stone, etc. האם , which is so differently explained by commentators, is after all to be explained best from Num. 17:28, the only other passage in which it occurs. Here it is the same as ה אם , and in Num. הלא אם : or is it not so: we shall perish quickly altogether? Thus we explain the passage before us. The interrogative ה is also sometimes used elsewhere for הלא , Job 20:4; Job 41:1 (Ges. §153, 3); the additional אם stands per inversionem in the second instead of the first place: nonne an = an nonne, annon : or is it not so: is not my help in me = or am I not utterly helpless? Ewald explains differently (§356, a ), according to which אם , from the formula of an oath, is equivalent to לא . The meaning is the same. Continuance, תּוּשׁיּה , i.e., power of endurance, reasonable prospect is driven away, frightened away from him, is lost for him.
14 To him who is consumed gentleness is due from his friend,
Otherwise he might forsake the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers are become false as a torrent,
As the bed of torrents which vanish away -
16 They were blackish from ice,
Snow is hidden in them -
17 In the time, when warmth cometh to them, they are destroyed.
It becometh hot, they are extinguished from their place.
Ewald supplies between Job 6:14 and Job 6:14 two lines which have professedly fallen out (“from a brother sympathy is due to the oppressed of God, in order he may not succumb to excessive grief”). Hitzig strongly characterizes this interpolation as a “pure swindle.” There is really nothing wanting; but we need not even take חסד , with Hitz., in the signification reproach (like Proverbs 14:34): if reproach cometh to the sufferer from his friend, he forsaketh the fear of God. מס (from מסס , liquefieri ) is one who is inwardly melted, the disheartened. Such an one should receive חסד from his friend, i.e., that he should restore him ἐν πνεύματι πραΰ́τητος (Galatians 6:1). The waw ( Job 6:14 ) is equivalent to alioqui with the future subjunctive (vid., Ges. §127, 5). Harshness might precipitate him into the abyss from which love will keep him back. So Schnurrer: Afflicto exhibenda est ab amico ipsius humanitas, alioqui hic reverentiam Dei exuit . Such harshness instead of charity meets him from his brothers, i.e., friends beloved as brothers. In vain he has looked to them for reviving consolation. Theirs is no comfort; it is like the dried-up water of a wady. נחל is a mountain or forest brook, which comes down from the height, and in spring is swollen by melting ice and the snow that thaws on the mountain-tops; χειμάῤῥους , i.e., a torrent swollen by winter water. The melting blocks of ice darken the water of such a wady, and the snow falling together is quickly hidden in its bosom ( התעלּם ). If they begin to be warmed ( Pual זרב , cognate to צרב , Ezekiel 21:3, aduri , and שׂרף , comburere ), suddenly they are reduced to nothing ( נצמת , exstingui ); they vanish away בּחמּו , when it becomes hot. The suffix is, with Ew., Olsh., and others, to be taken as neuter; not with Hirz., to be referred to a suppressed את : when the season grows hot. job bewails the disappointment he has experienced, the ”decline” of charity
(Note: Oetinger says that Job 6:15-20 describe those who get ”consumption” when they are obliged to extend “the breasts of compassion” to their neighbour.)
still further, by keeping to the figure of the mountain torrent.
18 The paths of their course are turned about,
They go up in the waste and perish.
19 The travelling bands of Tךma looked for them,
The caravans of Saba hoped for them;
20 They were disappointed on account of their trust,
They came thus far, and were red with shame.
As the text is pointed, ארחות , Job 6:18, are the paths of the torrents. Hitz., Ew., and Schlottm., however, correct ארחות , caravans, which Hahn even thinks may be understood without correction, since he translates: the caravans of their way are turned about (which is intended to mean: aside from the way that they are pursuing), march into the desert and perish (i.e., because the streams on which they reckoned are dried up). So, in reality, all modern commentators understand it; but is it likely that the poet would let the caravans perish in Job 6:18, and in Job 6:19. still live? With this explanation, Job 6:19. drag along tautologically, and the feebler figure follows the stronger. Therefore we explain as follows: the mountain streams, נחלים , flow off in shallow serpentine brooks, and the shallow waters completely evaporate by the heat of the sun. בתּהוּ עלה signifies to go up into nothing (comp. Isaiah 40:23), after the analogy of בעשׁן כּלה , to pass away in smoke. Thus e.g., also Mercier: in auras abeunt, in nihilum rediguntur . What next happens is related as a history, Job 6:19., hence the praett. Job compares his friends to the wady swollen by ice and snow water, and even to the travelling bands themselves languishing for water. He thirsts for friendly solace, but the seeming comfort which his friends utter is only as the scattered meandering waters in which the mountain brook leaks out. The sing . בּטח individualizes; it is unnecessary with Olsh. to read בּטחוּ .
21 For now ye are become nothing;
You see misfortune, and are affrighted.
22 Have I then said, Give unto me,
And give a present for me from your substance,
23 And deliver me from the enemy's hand,
And redeem me from the hand of the tyrant?
In Job 6:21, the reading wavers between לו and לא , with the Keri לו ; but לו , which is consequently the lectio recepta , gives no suitable meaning, only in a slight degree appropriate, as this: ye are become it, i.e., such a mountain brook; for הייתם is not to be translated, with Stickel and others, estis , but facti estis . The Targum, however, translates after the Chethib: ye are become as though ye had never been, i.e., nothingness. Now, since לא , Aramaic לה , can (as Daniel 4:32 shows) be used as a substantive (a not = a null), and the thought: ye are become nothing, your friendship proves itself equal to null, suits the imagery just used, we decide in favour of the Chethib; then in the figure the בתּהוּ עלה corresponds most to this, and is also, therefore, not to be explained away. The lxx, Syr., Vulg., translate לי instead of לו : ye are become it (such deceitful brooks) to me. Ewald proposes to read לי הייתם עתה כן (comp. the explanation, Ges. §137, rem. 3), - a conjecture which puts aside all difficulty; but the sentence with לא commends itself as being bolder and more expressive. All the rest explains itself. It is remarkable that in Job 6:21 the reading תּירוּ is also found, instead of תּראוּ : ye dreaded misfortune, and ye were then affrighted. הבוּ is here, as an exception, properispomenon , according to Ges. §29, 3. כּח , as Proverbs 5:10; Leviticus 26:20, what one has obtained by putting forth one's strength, syn. חיל , outward strength.
24 Teach me, and I will be silent,
And cause me to understand wherein I have failed.
25 How forcible are words in accordance with truth!
But what doth reproof from you reprove?
26 Do you think to reprove words?
The words of one in despair belong to the wind.
27 Ye would even cast lots for the orphan,
And traffic about your friend.
נמרצוּ , Job 6:25, in the signification of נמלצוּ ( Psalms 119:103), would suit very well: how smooth, delicate, sweet, are, etc. (Hirz., Ew., Schlottm.); but this meaning does not suit Job 16:3. Hupfeld, by comparison with mar, bitter, translates: quantumvis acerba ; but מה may signify quidquid , though not quantumvis . Hahn compares the Arabic verb to be sick, and translates: in what respect are right words bad; but physical disease and ethical badness are not such nearly related ideas. Ebrard: honest words are not taken amiss; but with an inadmissible application of Job 16:3. Von Gerl. is best: how strong or forcible are, etc. מרץ is taken as related to פּרץ , in the signification to penetrate; Hiph . to goad; Niph . to be furnished with the property of penetrating, - used here of penetrating speech; 1 Kings 2:8, of a curse inevitably carried out; Micah 2:10, of unsparing destruction. Words which keep the straight way to truth, go to the heart; on the contrary, what avails the reproving from you, i.e., which proceeds from you? הוכח , inf. absol. as Proverbs 25:27, and in but a few other passages as subject; מכּם , as Job 5:15, the sword going forth out of their mouth. In Job 6:26 the waw introduces a subordinate adverbial clause: while, however, the words of one in despair belong to the wind, that they may be carried away by it, not to the judgment which retains and analyzes them, without considering the mood of which they are the hasty expression. The futt. express the extent to which their want of feeling would go, if the circumstances for it only existed; they are subjunctive, as Job 3:13, Job 3:16. גּורל , the lot, is to be supplied to תּפּילוּ , as 1 Samuel 14:42. The verb כּרה , however, does not here signify to dig, so that שׁחת , a pit, should be supplied (Heiligst.), still less: dig out earth, and cast it on any one (Ebrard); but has the signification of buying and selling with על of the object, exactly like Job 39:27.
28 And now be pleased to observe me keenly,
I will not indeed deceive you to your face.
29 Try it again, then: let there be no injustice;
Try it again, my righteousness still stands.
30 Is there wrong on my tongue?
Or shall not my palate discern iniquity?
He begs them to observe him more closely; בּ פּנה , as Ecclesiastes 2:11, to observe scrutinizingly. אם is the sign of negative asseveration (Ges. §155, 2, f ). He will not indeed shamelessly give them the lie, viz., in respect to the greatness and inexplicableness of his suffering. The challenging שׁוּבוּ we do not translate: retrace your steps, but: begin afresh, to which both the following clauses are better suited. So Schlottm. and von Gerlach. Hahn retains the Chethib שׁובי , in the signification: my answer; but that is impossible: to answer is השׁיב , not שׁוּב . The עוד drawn to שׁובו by Rebia mugrasch is more suitably joined with צדקי־בה , in which בּהּ refers neutrally to the matter of which it treats. They are to try from the beginning to find that comfort which will meet the case. Their accusations are עולה ; his complaints, on the contrary, are fully justified. He does not grant that the outburst of his feeling of pain (Job 3) is עולה : he has not so completely lost his power against temptation, that he would not restrain himself, if he should fall into הוּות . Thus wickedness, which completely contaminates feeling and utterance, is called (Psalms 52:4).