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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 6:20

And they were confounded because they had hoped ,.... When they came to the places where they hoped to find water, finding none were ashamed of their vain hope, and reflected upon themselves for being so foolish as to raise their expectations upon such a groundless surmise: they came thither, and were ashamed ; which is the same thing expressed in different words; and aptly enough describes Job's disappointment in not meeting with that relief and comfort he expected from his friends, to... 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 6:20

They were confounded because they had hoped . Shame and confusion of face came upon them in consequence of their vain hope. In the same way, Job implies, he is ashamed of having looked for compassion and kindness from his friends. He should have been wiser and have known better. They came thither, and were ashamed . They not only hoped, but acted on their hope-let it turn them aside from their way (verse 18) and bring them to ruin. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 6:20

They were confounded because they had hoped - The caravans of Tema and Sheba. The word “confounded” here means ashamed. It represents the state of feeling which one has who has met with disappointment. He is perplexed, distressed, and ashamed that he had entertained so confident hope; see the notes at Isaiah 30:5. They were downcast and sad that the waters had failed, and they looked on one another with confusion and dismay. There are few images more poetic than this, and nothing that would... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 6:20

Job 6:20. They were confounded That is, the troops and companies were miserably disappointed; because they hoped Comforted themselves with the expectation of water there to quench their thirst; they came, and were ashamed To think that they should expect relief from such uncertain streams, and had deceived themselves and others. Thus we prepare confusion for ourselves by our vain hopes: the reeds break under us because we lean upon them. 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 6:15-20

Job 6:15-20. My brethren have dealt deceitfully— Bishop Lowth observes, that though the metaphor from overflowing waters is very frequent in other sacred writers, yet the author of the book of Job never touches upon it but once or twice throughout the whole poem, and that very slightly, though the subject afforded him frequent opportunities to do so. Indeed, says he, a different face of nature presented itself to him, whoever he was, if, according to the opinion of several learned men, the book... read more

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