Job 16:6

Commentary on Job 16:6 (KJV)

Job 16:6 captures the profound and unrelenting anguish of Job, a central figure in the biblical book that bears his name. In this verse, Job expresses the utter futility he experiences in trying to alleviate his immense suffering, whether through speaking out or remaining silent.

Context

This verse is part of Job's third response to his three friends, specifically following Eliphaz's second speech in Job 15. Throughout their dialogues, Job's friends have offered what they believe to be theological explanations for his suffering, largely accusing him of hidden sin. However, their words have only deepened Job's distress, failing to provide any genuine comfort or understanding. Feeling misunderstood by his friends and abandoned by God, Job is at a point of extreme despair. His lament here underscores his profound isolation and the depth of his physical and emotional pain, emphasizing that no human action or inaction seems to lessen his burden. This echoes Job's steadfastness amidst suffering, but also his raw human agony.

Key Themes and Messages

• Unrelenting Grief: The core message is that Job's grief is so overwhelming that neither expressing it ("Though I speak") nor suppressing it ("and though I forbear") brings any relief. His suffering is persistent and all-consuming.
• Futility of Human Effort: Job highlights the limitations of human words and actions in the face of profound, inexplicable suffering. Neither lamenting nor holding back his complaints assuages his pain, underscoring his sense of helplessness.
• Despair and Isolation: This verse powerfully conveys Job's deep despair. He feels trapped in his misery, unable to find an outlet or source of ease. This isolation is compounded by the inadequacy of his friends' counsel.
• The Search for Solace: Implicit in Job's cry is a longing for relief, a desire for his pain to be lessened. His inability to find it emphasizes the unique nature of his trial.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "asswaged" and "eased," which convey the sense of relief or lessening of pain. The Hebrew word translated "asswaged" is yāpūg (יָפוּג), meaning to abate, cease, or grow numb. It implies that his grief does not diminish or become less intense. The phrase "what am I eased?" uses the Hebrew yimmānēʿa (יִמָּנַע), meaning to be restrained or withheld, suggesting that solace or comfort is kept from him. This highlights the absolute lack of any internal or external relief for Job's distress.

Practical Application

Job 16:6 offers several enduring lessons for believers and for understanding the human condition:

• Validation of Suffering: It validates the experience of profound grief and despair where no easy answers or quick fixes exist. It acknowledges that sometimes, despite our best efforts, pain persists.
• Empathy for the Afflicted: This verse calls for deep empathy towards those who are suffering immensely. It reminds us that sometimes, the best comfort is simply presence and understanding, rather than offering simplistic solutions or judgmental advice.
• Limitations of Human Comfort: While we are called to comfort one another, this verse points to the ultimate limitation of human words and actions in truly alleviating deep spiritual or physical agony. It gently directs us toward the need for divine comfort, as described in passages like 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, where God is called "the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort."
• Honest Lament: Job's raw honesty in his lament, similar to many of the Psalmist's cries of "How long?", teaches us that it is permissible and even healthy to express our deepest anguish to God, even when we don't understand His ways.

In essence, Job 16:6 is a cry from the depths of human suffering, reminding us that some pains defy easy resolution and that true solace often lies beyond human capacity.