Job 6:11

What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?

What is my strength {H3581}, that I should hope {H3176}? and what is mine end {H7093}, that I should prolong {H748} my life {H5315}?

"Have I enough strength to go on waiting? What end can I expect, that I should be patient?

What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

Commentary on Job 6:11 (KJV)

Job 6:11 captures the profound despair of Job, a man overwhelmed by unimaginable suffering and the harsh, unhelpful counsel of his friends. In this verse, Job articulates a desperate cry, questioning the very purpose of his continued existence amidst his affliction.

Context

This verse is part of Job's first response to Eliphaz the Temanite, who had accused Job of hidden sin as the cause of his calamities (Job 4:7). Job, having lost his children, possessions, and health, is not only physically tormented but also emotionally and spiritually crushed. His friends, rather than offering comfort, inflict further pain by suggesting his suffering is a direct result of divine judgment. Job 6:11 reflects his raw agony and his inability to find any reason to hope or endure, given his dire circumstances and the perceived lack of an end to his pain.

Key Themes

  • Profound Despair: Job’s questions, "What [is] my strength, that I should hope?" and "what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?", reveal a soul wrestling with the depths of hopelessness. He perceives no remaining strength to cling to hope and no positive outcome that would justify continuing his agonizing life.
  • Limits of Human Endurance: The verse highlights the fragility of human strength and the point at which suffering can break one’s will to live. Job feels completely depleted, beyond the capacity for self-sustained resilience.
  • Quest for Meaning in Suffering: Implicit in Job's lament is a search for meaning. If there's no strength to hope and no beneficial "end" to his suffering, then prolonging life seems senseless. This echoes a universal human struggle when facing seemingly purposeless pain.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "strength" here, koach (כֹּחַ), often refers to physical power, vigor, or ability. Job is saying he has no *power* left to sustain hope. The term "end," qetz (קֵץ), can mean an extremity, boundary, or conclusion. Job is asking what positive conclusion or outcome awaits him that would make his suffering worthwhile or justify its prolongation. He sees no light at the end of the tunnel.

Practical Application

Job’s raw honesty in this verse offers comfort to those experiencing deep despair. It reminds us that it is permissible to voice our deepest pains and questions, even to God, when suffering. While Job’s perspective here is one of utter hopelessness, the broader narrative of the Book of Job ultimately demonstrates God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even when human understanding fails. This verse can encourage empathy for those in distress and prompt us to offer genuine comfort rather than simplistic solutions, remembering that true hope often comes from beyond our own strength, as seen in God's power made perfect in weakness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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