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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 6:14-21

Eliphaz had been very severe in his censures of Job; and his companions, though as yet they had said little, yet had intimated their concurrence with him. Their unkindness therein poor Job here complains of, as an aggravation of his calamity and a further excuse of his desire to die; for what satisfaction could he ever expect in this world when those that should have been his comforters thus proved his tormentors? I. He shows what reason he had to expect kindness from them. His expectation was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 6:16

Which are blackish by reason of the ice ,.... When frozen over, they look of a blackish colour, and is what is called a black frost; and these either describe Job and his domestics, as some F8 So Michaelis. think whom Eliphaz and his two friends compared to the above streams water passed away from, or passed by and neglected, and showed no friendship to; who were in black, mournful and rueful circumstances, through the severe hand of God upon them. The word is rendered, "those which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 6:16

Blackish by reason of the ice - He represents the waters as being sometimes suddenly frozen, their foam being turned into the semblance of snow or hoar-frost: when the heat comes, they are speedily liquefied; and the evaporation is so strong from the heat, and the absorption so powerful from the sand, that they soon disappear. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 6:14-21

The illusions of friendship. Oh, how sweet and blessed at this hour would the ministries of true friendship be! Job, in the shipwreck of fortune and of health, is like a poor swimmer clinging to a spar or fragment of rock with ebbing strength, looking vainly for the lifeboat, and the strong, rescuing arms of friends and saviours. Instead of this, his friends stand aloof, and lecture and lesson him on the supposed folly which has steered his bark upon the breakers. Here we see in one glance... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 6:14-30

Job to Eliphaz: 2. Reproofs and retorts. I. UNKINDNESS REPROVED . The behaviour of Eliphaz (and his friends) was: 1 . Unnatural. Compassion for a suffering fellow-creature, much more for a friend, was a dictate of humanity (verse 14). The condition of Job pre-eminently claimed pitiful consideration. He was not only melting away, bodily and mentally, but spiritually he was in danger of "forsaking the fear of the Almighty," i.e. losing his hold on God, on God's love and favour... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 6:16

Which are blackish by reason of the ice . Job seems to have seen wadys where, in the winter-time, the water was actually frozen into hard black ice. This scarcely occurs now in the countries bordering on Palestine; but may have occurred in the region where Job dwelt, formerly. "Dark, turbid water" can scarcely be intended. And wherein the snow is hid. Some suppose melted snow to be meant; but the deep wadies in the Hauran and elsewhere would easily conceal snowdrifts. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 6:16

Which are blackish - Or, rather, which are turbid. The word used here (קדרים qoderı̂ym) means to be turbid, foul, or muddy, spoken of a torrent, and then to be of a dusky color, to be dark-colored, as e. g. the skin scorched by the sun, Job 30:28; or to be dark - as when the sun is obscured; Joel 2:10; Joel 3:15. Jerome renders it, Qui timent pruinam - “which fear the frost, when the snow comes upon them.” The Septuagint renders it, “they who had venerated me now rushed upon me like snow or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 6:16

Job 6:16. Which are blackish, &c. Which in winter, when the traveller neither needs nor desires it, are full of water congealed by the frost. Wherein the snow is hid Under which the water from snow, which formerly fell, and afterward was dissolved, lies hid. So he speaks not of those brooks which are fed by a constant spring, but of them which are filled by accidental falls of water or snow. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 6:1-30

Job’s reply to Eliphaz (6:1-7:21)Eliphaz had rebuked Job for his impatient outburst. In reply Job acknowledges that God is the one who has sent this affliction, but he points out that if Eliphaz knew how great this suffering was he would understand why Job spoke rashly (6:1-4). An animal cries out only with good reason (for example, if it is hungry for food). Job likewise cries out only with good reason. His tormenting thoughts and Eliphaz’s useless words are to him like food that makes him... read more

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