2. Job’s first reply to Eliphaz chs. 6-7Job began not with a direct reply to Eliphaz but with another complaint about his condition. Then he responded to Eliphaz’s speech but addressed all three of his friends. The "you" and "yours" in Job 6:24-30 are plural in the Hebrew text. read more
Job’s disappointment with his friends 6:14-23"If, up to this point, Job has been praying, or at least soliloquizing, now he makes a more direct attack on the friends (the ’you’ in Job 6:21 is plural)." [Note: Ibid., p. 130.] "Eliphaz has attacked Job’s complaint; Job now attacks Eliphaz’ ’consolation.’" [Note: Kline, p. 468.] Job’s friends had not been loyal to him when they judged him as they had. "Kindness" in Job 6:14 is literally "loyalty." Consequently, Job was close to forsaking his fear... read more
The First Speech of Job (Job 6, 7)1-13. Job, smarting under the remarks of Eliphaz, which he feels are not appropriate to his case, renews and justifies his complaints. He bemoans the heaviness of God’s hand, and wishes that He would slay him outright.2, 3. Job admits that he was rash in his remarks (in Job 3), but declares that his language was justified by his miserable condition.3. Are swallowed up] RV ’have been rash.’4. It is because he feels that his troubles are due to God that he is... read more
(21) For now ye are nothing.—“Surely now ye are become like it” i.e., that wady; or, according to another reading followed in the text of the Authorised Version, “Ye have become nothing: ye have seen an object of terror, and are terrified: ye have seen my broken-down condition, and are dismayed at it.” read more
Job 6:1 f The sixth and seventh chapters are molten from end to end, and run in one burning stream.... Everything which can be said by a sick man against life is in these chapters. The whole of a vast subsequent literature is summed up here, and he who has once read it may fairly ask never to be troubled with anything more upon that side. Mark Rutherford, The Deliverance, p. 13 f. 'When He does smite,' wrote General Gordon to his sister from the Red Sea in 1879, 'His arrows are almost too... read more
VIII.MEN FALSE: GOD OVERBEARINGJob 6:1-30; Job 7:1-21Job SPEAKSWORST to endure of all things is the grief that preys on a man’s own heart because no channel outside self is provided for the hot stream of thought. Now that Eliphaz has spoken, Job has something to arouse him, at least to resentment. The strength of his mind revives as he finds himself called to a battle of words. And how energetic he is! The long address of Eliphaz we saw to be incoherent, without the backbone of any clear... read more
CHAPTERS 6-7 Job’s Answer 1. His Despair justified by the greatness of his suffering (Job 6:1-7 ) 2. He requests to be cut off (Job 6:8-13 ) 3. He reproacheth his friends (Job 6:14-30 ) 4. The misery of life (Job 7:1-7 ) 5. Two questions: Why does God deal with me thus? Why does He not pardon? (Job 7:8-21 ) Job 6:1-7 . He meets first of all the reproach and accusation of Eliphaz (Job 4:1-5 ). Because his sufferings are so great his utterances are so desperately wild. If Eliphaz only... read more
6:21 For now ye are {m} nothing; ye see [my] casting down, and are afraid.(m) That is, like this brook which deceives them who think to have water there in their need, as I looked for consolation from you. read more
JOB'S REPLY TO ELIPHAZ (vv.1-30) It is remarkable that Job, being in the painful condition he was, was still able to reply in such capable and stirring language to Eliphaz. He knew that Eliphaz had not shown any understanding of Job's predicament, and he again emphasised the unutterable pain and grief that had overtaken him. He knew Eliphaz had not weighed Job's grief accurately, or he would have had more compassion for the poor sufferer (vv.2-3). Job says, "Therefore my words have been... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 6:21
21. As the dried-up brook is to the caravan, so are ye to me, namely, a nothing; ye might as well not be in existence [UMBREIT]. The Margin "like to them," or "to it" (namely, the waters of the brook), is not so good a reading. ye see, and are afraid—Ye are struck aghast at the sight of my misery, and ye lose presence of mind. Job puts this mild construction on their failing to relieve him with affectionate consolation. read more