Job 6:13

Job 6:13 (KJV) captures the profound depth of Job's despair, as he questions his own internal resources and sanity amidst unimaginable suffering. This verse is part of his first, lengthy response to Eliphaz, who has accused him of sin as the cause of his calamities.

Context of Job 6:13

In Job chapter 6, Job articulates his overwhelming sorrow and bitterness, wishing for death as a release from his agony. He feels misunderstood and unhelped by his friends, whom he later labels "miserable comforters" (Job 16:2). Verse 13 is a rhetorical question born out of this intense emotional and spiritual isolation. Job is not seeking an answer, but rather expressing the absolute absence of internal strength or clarity he feels, asking if there's any help or wisdom left within him.

Key Themes and Messages

• Profound Despair and Helplessness: Job's questions, "Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?", reveal a man who feels utterly depleted of internal strength and the ability to cope. He's asking if there's anything left within him to draw upon.
• Feeling Abandoned: Beyond his friends, Job feels abandoned by his own inner resilience and understanding. This highlights the isolating nature of severe suffering, where one can feel cut off even from oneself.
• Loss of Wisdom/Clarity: The phrase "is wisdom driven quite from me?" suggests a loss of perspective, sound judgment, or perhaps even a sense of purpose. Job feels his capacity for rational thought or finding solutions has completely deserted him.
• The Human Experience of Suffering: This verse poignantly captures the human tendency to question internal resources when overwhelmed by external pressures, a feeling many can relate to in times of crisis.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "help" here is עֶזְרָה (‘ezrah), which often denotes external assistance or aid, but in this context, Job uses it to refer to his internal capacity for resilience or support. He implies that even this internal "help" is gone. Similarly, "wisdom" translates from תּוּשִׁיָּה (tushiyyah), meaning sound wisdom, good judgment, or even substance. Job's rhetorical question underscores his feeling that all practical understanding and inner stability have been completely removed from him.

Practical Application and Reflection

Job 6:13 offers a powerful insight into the psychology of extreme suffering. It reminds us that:

• It is natural to feel utterly depleted and to question one's own internal strength and wisdom when facing overwhelming trials. Job's lament normalizes such feelings.
• True empathy for those suffering means acknowledging their pain without immediately offering solutions or judgments. Sometimes, the most helpful response is simply to be present and allow space for their raw expressions of grief and confusion, as Job desired from his friends.
• Even in the deepest valleys, the biblical narrative often points to a sovereign God who, though mysterious in His ways, ultimately provides strength and restores wisdom, even if it feels absent in the moment (Isaiah 40:29).