Job 6:18

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 6:18

The paths of their way are turned aside ,.... That is, the waters, when melted by the heat of the sun, and the warmth of the weather, run, some one way, and some another in little streams and windings, till they are quite lost and the tracks of them are no more to be seen; denoting that all appearance of friendship was quite gone, and no traces of it to be found: they go to nothing, and perish : some of them are lost in little meanders and windings about, and others are exhaled by the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 6:18

The paths of their way - They sometimes forsake their ancient channels, which is a frequent case with the river Ganges; and growing smaller and smaller from being divided into numerous streams, they go to nothing and perish - are at last utterly lost in the sands. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 6:1-30

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 6:18

The paths of their way are turned aside ; rather, as in the Revised Version, the caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside. It seems impossible that the streams can be intended, since their paths are never "turned aside"—they simply shrink, fail, and dry up. But nothing is commoner than for caravans short of water to go out of their way in order to reach a wady, where they expect to be able to replenish their water-skins. If they are disappointed, if the wady is dry, they may be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 6:18

The paths of their way are turned aside - Noyes renders this, “The caravans turn aside to them on their way.” Good, “The outlets of their channel wind about.” Rosenmuller, “The bands of travelers direct their journey to them.” Jerome, “Involved are the paths of their steps.” According to the interpretation of Rosenmuller, Noyes, Umbreit, and others, it means that the caravans on their journey turn aside from their regular way in order to find water there; and that in doing it they go up into a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 6:17-18

Job 6:17-18. What time they wax warm When the weather grows milder, and the frost and snow are dissolved; they vanish נצמתו , nitsmathu, ex cisi sunt, they are cut off, having no fountain from whence to draw a supply. When it is hot In the hot season, when waters are most refreshing and necessary; they are consumed out of their place The place where the traveller expected to find them to his comfort; but they are gone he knows not whither. The paths of their way are turned aside ... 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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