The big picture
Job 6 opens in verse 1 with “But Job answered and said,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 15 with “My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass…”, and closes in verse 30 with “Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?” Repeated or prominent terms include words, hand, strength, Almighty, friend. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Job · King James Version · 30Job 6:1-8
1–8: Job answered and said,
Job 6:1–8 opens with “But Job answered and said,” and reaches “Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 6 develops its own movement around words, hand, strength, Almighty, friend, with particular weight carried by Almighty, array, arrows.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“But Job answered and said,” Naming Job keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Job 6:1-8
King James Version1But Job answered and said,
2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4For 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.
5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
Job 6:9-16
9–16: Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his…
Job 6:9–16 opens with “Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!” and reaches “Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 6 develops its own movement around words, hand, strength, Almighty, friend, with particular weight carried by strength, afflicted, Almighty.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!” Naming Even keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Job 6:9-16
King James Version9Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10Then 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.
11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
Job 6:17-24
17–24: What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed…
Job 6:17–24 opens with “What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.” and reaches “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 6 develops its own movement around words, hand, strength, Almighty, friend, with particular weight carried by hand, nothing, afraid.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Job 6:17-24
King James Version17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Job 6:25-30
25–30: How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Job 6:25–30 opens with “How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?” and reaches “Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 6 develops its own movement around words, hand, strength, Almighty, friend, with particular weight carried by iniquity, reprove, return.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Job 6:25-30
King James Version25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Job 6:1 begins with “But Job answered and said,”
Where the chapter turns
Job 6:13 forms a natural hinge: “Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?”
The final note
Job 6:30 leaves the reader with “Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?”
A word trail through the chapter
The words words, hand, strength, Almighty, friend, iniquity help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What repeated description explains the judgment?
The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.
What does obedience look like here?
Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
- doth
- does
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.