Job 6:15

KJV

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;

KJV (with Strong's)

My brethren {H251} have dealt deceitfully {H898} as a brook {H5158}, and as the stream {H650} of brooks {H5158} they pass away {H5674};

Complete Jewish Bible

But my brothers are as deceptive as vadis, as vadi streams that soon run dry;

Berean Standard Bible

But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

American Standard Version

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 6:15 encapsulates the patriarch Job's profound disappointment and sense of betrayal by his friends, whom he refers to as "brethren." Having expected steadfast support and empathy in his immense suffering, Job laments that their comfort has proven as unreliable and fleeting as a seasonal wadi, which dries up precisely when its water is most desperately needed. This verse powerfully conveys the pain of human abandonment and the fragility of earthly relationships in the crucible of severe adversity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Job's impassioned response to Eliphaz the Temanite, the first of his three friends to speak. Following the initial seven days of silent mourning where his friends sat with him in ashes ([Job 2:13](/job/2-13 "Job 2:13 - Friends' Initial Silence")), their subsequent speeches have shifted from empathy to accusation, attributing Job's unparalleled suffering to hidden sin. In chapters 6 and 7, Job articulates his overwhelming anguish, despair, and frustration, not only with his seemingly distant God but also with the failure of his expected comforters. [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - Job's Lament of Betrayal") specifically follows Job's bitter complaint about the weight of his affliction ([Job 6:1-3](/job/6-1 "Job 6:1-3 - Job's Complaint")) and his plea for God to end his life ([Job 6:8-10](/job/6-8 "Job 6:8-10 - Job's Desire for Death")). His friends' inability to provide genuine solace, instead offering harsh theological pronouncements, deepens his sense of isolation and betrayal, which this verse vividly expresses through the metaphor of a failing water source.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a "brook" (Hebrew: _nachal_) holds profound significance in the arid Middle Eastern landscape. Unlike perennial rivers, a _nachal_ typically refers to a wadi or seasonal riverbed that only flows during the rainy season or after rare flash floods. During the long, hot, dry summers, these wadis become parched, dusty ravines, offering no water to the thirsty traveler. This environmental reality makes the metaphor particularly potent for Job, who is enduring a "dry season" of unimaginable suffering. Travelers, caravans, and even local communities depended on reliable water sources, and the failure of a _nachal_ to provide sustenance was a life-threatening deception. Job's friends, in this context, are like these deceptive wadis, promising relief but delivering only emptiness when it is most needed.

* **Key Themes:** [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - The Unreliability of Human Support") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it highlights the **unreliability of human support** in the face of profound suffering, contrasting the fleeting nature of human comfort with the steadfastness of God (a theme explored more fully later in the book). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **betrayal and disappointment**, as Job's "brethren" (a term implying close kinship and loyalty) have failed to provide the empathy and understanding he desperately craves, instead offering condemnation. This deepens Job's **isolation in suffering**, as he finds himself alone in his pain, even among those who should be his closest allies. Lastly, the verse implicitly defines the **nature of true friendship**, which should be characterized by unwavering loyalty and compassionate presence, even when circumstances are inexplicable, a standard against which Job's friends tragically fall short, as seen throughout [Job's dialogues](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament and the Start of the Dialogues").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dealt deceitfully (Hebrew, בָּגַד, _bagad'_):** This verb carries a strong connotation of treachery, faithlessness, or betrayal of trust. It is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe breaking a covenant, acting perfidiously, or being unfaithful (e.g., [Malachi 2:10](/malachi/2-10 "Malachi 2:10 - Betrayal of Covenant")). Job's choice of this word is deliberate and potent, conveying not merely disappointment but a profound sense of having been betrayed by those who should have been most loyal. His friends' actions are not just unhelpful; they are a violation of the implicit trust inherent in their relationship.
* **Brook (Hebrew, נַחַל, _nachal'_):** As discussed in the cultural context, a _nachal_ is a seasonal stream or wadi, dependent on rain or flash floods. It is inherently unreliable in arid regions. This word perfectly encapsulates the fleeting and untrustworthy nature of Job's friends' support. They appeared to offer comfort, like a stream promising water, but their true nature was revealed in the "dry season" of Job's suffering, when their support vanished.
* **Pass away (Hebrew, יַעֲבֹרוּ, _ya'avoru'_):** This verb means to pass over, pass through, or disappear. In this context, it emphasizes the transient and vanishing nature of the brooks, and by extension, Job's friends' support. It highlights the complete absence of the expected help, leaving Job parched and abandoned. The imagery is one of evaporation, of something that was once present (or seemed to be) simply ceasing to exist when most needed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,"**: Job uses the intimate term "brethren" (אֶחָי, _'echay_), indicating a deep personal relationship and the expectation of loyalty and solidarity. The phrase "dealt deceitfully" (בָּגְדוּ, _bagdu_, a form of _bagad_) immediately establishes the core complaint: his friends have acted treacherously. The comparison "as a brook" introduces the central metaphor, likening their unreliability to a seasonal stream that promises water but fails in times of drought. This clause sets the stage for the profound sense of betrayal Job feels.
* **"[and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;"**: This second clause amplifies and reinforces the first through synonymous parallelism. "The stream of brooks" (וּכְפִיק נְחָלִים, _u'khefiq nechalim_) further emphasizes the collective nature of these unreliable sources. The verb "pass away" (יַעֲבֹרוּ, _ya'avoru_) vividly describes their disappearance, like water evaporating or flowing away, leaving nothing behind. The repetition solidifies the image of vanishing support, highlighting the complete absence of comfort and help when Job is most desperate.

#### Literary Devices
The power of [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - The Deceitful Brook") lies in its masterful use of **metaphor** and **simile**. Job directly compares his friends' unreliability to a "brook" and "stream of brooks," which are seasonal wadis in the arid Middle East. This imagery serves as a potent **symbolism** for fleeting and unreliable support. The **simile** ("as a brook," "as the stream of brooks") explicitly draws the comparison, making the abstract concept of betrayal tangible and relatable through a common natural phenomenon. Furthermore, the verse employs **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("as the stream of brooks they pass away") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first clause ("My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook"). This rhetorical technique emphasizes the complete and utter failure of his friends' support, driving home Job's profound sense of abandonment and disappointment. The vivid **imagery** of disappearing water in a parched land effectively communicates Job's spiritual and emotional drought.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's lament in [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - The Unreliable Friends") resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning human frailty and God's steadfastness. While human relationships, even the closest ones, can prove unreliable and disappointing in times of severe trial, the Scriptures consistently affirm the unwavering faithfulness of God. Job's experience serves as a stark reminder that ultimate reliance should never be placed on human comfort or wisdom, but rather on the Lord, who remains constant through all seasons of life. This verse implicitly sets up a theological contrast between the shifting sands of human loyalty and the unchanging rock of divine presence, a theme central to the book's resolution.

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Trust in Man vs. Trust in God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's poignant cry in [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - When Friends Fail") offers a sobering yet vital lesson for all who navigate the complexities of human relationships, especially in times of suffering. It acknowledges the painful reality that even those we consider "brethren" can fail us, their support evaporating like a seasonal brook when our need is greatest. This verse challenges us to cultivate a realistic understanding of human limitations, recognizing that while we are called to bear one another's burdens ([Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing Burdens")), perfect empathy and unwavering support are often beyond human capacity. It redirects our ultimate hope and trust away from fallible human beings and towards the unfailing faithfulness of God. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful call to self-examination, prompting us to consider what kind of friend we are: do we offer steadfast, empathetic presence, or do we, like Job's friends, contribute to the suffering of others through ill-timed advice or judgmental attitudes? True comfort often lies not in having all the answers, but in simply being present and unwavering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Have I ever experienced the pain of "brethren" dealing deceitfully or failing to provide support in a time of deep need? How did I respond?**
* **In what ways might I, perhaps unintentionally, have been like the "deceitful brook" to someone else in their suffering?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper reliance on God's unwavering faithfulness when human support proves insufficient?**
* **What does this verse teach me about what it means to be a truly steadfast and empathetic friend to others, especially those in distress?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job call his friends "brethren" if he feels betrayed by them?**

Answer: Job uses the term "brethren" (אֶחָי, _'echay_) to emphasize the depth of his relationship with his friends and, consequently, the profound nature of their betrayal. "Brethren" implies a close bond, kinship, and an expectation of loyalty and solidarity. By using this term, Job highlights the irony and pain of their actions: those who should have been closest and most supportive have instead acted treacherously, failing to provide the comfort and understanding he desperately needed. It underscores his disappointment that even family-like bonds can prove unreliable in the crucible of suffering.

**What is the significance of the "brook" metaphor in Job 6:15?**

Answer: The "brook" (נַחַל, _nachal_) in the context of the ancient Near East refers to a wadi or seasonal stream that flows only during the rainy season. During the long, dry summers, these wadis become parched riverbeds, offering no water. This metaphor is highly significant because it perfectly illustrates the unreliability of Job's friends' support. Just as a traveler might rely on a wadi for water only to find it dry when most thirsty, Job relied on his friends for comfort and empathy, only to find their support had vanished or turned into harsh judgment precisely when his suffering was most intense. It highlights their fleeting and untrustworthy nature, contrasting sharply with the expectation of steadfast friendship.

**Does this verse suggest that all human support is inherently unreliable?**

Answer: While [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - The Limits of Human Support") powerfully expresses the pain of unreliable human support, it does not suggest that all human relationships are inherently untrustworthy. Instead, it serves as a realistic acknowledgment of human limitations and fallibility. Even well-meaning friends can fail to provide adequate comfort or understanding in the face of immense, inexplicable suffering. The verse implicitly encourages a discerning approach to human relationships and, more importantly, redirects ultimate trust and dependence to God, whose faithfulness is unwavering. It also challenges believers to strive to be the kind of steadfast friend that Job longed for, recognizing the high calling of empathy and loyalty in the body of Christ (cf. [Romans 12:15](/romans/12-15 "Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament in [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - The Betrayal of Friends") finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, not only in the person of Jesus but also in the nature of God's unwavering faithfulness. While Job experienced the pain of "brethren" dealing deceitfully and passing away like a brook, Jesus Christ Himself knew the ultimate betrayal by those closest to Him. His own disciples, whom He called friends, abandoned Him in His hour of greatest need, with Peter denying Him three times ([Matthew 26:69-75](/matthew/26-69 "Matthew 26:69-75 - Peter Denies Jesus")) and Judas betraying Him with a kiss ([Matthew 26:47-50](/matthew/26-47 "Matthew 26:47-50 - Judas Betrays Jesus")). Yet, unlike Job's friends, God the Father did not abandon Jesus, but upheld Him through the Spirit, leading to His ultimate triumph over sin and death. Furthermore, Christ is the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water"); [John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")), the never-failing spring of spiritual sustenance, in stark contrast to the deceitful, drying brooks of human support. He is the faithful friend who "sticks closer than a brother" ([Proverbs 18:24](/proverbs/18-24 "Proverbs 18:24 - A Friend Closer Than a Brother")), whose love and presence are constant, even in our deepest suffering, offering true comfort and hope that will never pass away. His steadfast love and ultimate sacrifice demonstrate the perfect, unfailing support that Job longed for, and that we find fully in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 15:18

Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, [which] refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, [and as] waters [that] fail?

Psalms 38:11

My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

Psalms 41:9

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me.

John 13:18

¶ I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

John 16:32

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

Psalms 88:18

Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, [and] mine acquaintance into darkness.

Jude 1:12

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;