Job 6:16

KJV

Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow is hid:

KJV (with Strong's)

Which are blackish {H6937} by reason of the ice {H7140}, and wherein the snow {H7950} is hid {H5956}:

Complete Jewish Bible

they may turn dark with ice and be hidden by piled-up snow;

Berean Standard Bible

darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,

American Standard Version

Which are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 6:16 vividly portrays the deceptive appearance of seasonal streams, which, swollen and dark from melting ice and hidden snow, promise abundant water but are destined to vanish in the heat. This verse is a critical component of Job's profound analogy, where he likens his unhelpful friends to these unreliable waterways, expressing his deep disappointment and the pain of their superficial comfort amidst his overwhelming suffering. It powerfully underscores the stark contrast between outward show and true substance, highlighting humanity's desperate need for genuine, steadfast support in times of profound crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 6:16 is an integral part of Job's impassioned and deeply personal lament, specifically within his first response to Eliphaz the Temanite, which commences in [Job 6](/job/6 "Job's Lament and Plea for Death"). In the preceding verses, Job has been pouring out his anguish, asserting that his immense suffering justifies his seemingly rash words ([Job 6:2-3](/job/6-2-3 "Job's Anguish Justifies His Words")). He then transitions to a powerful and extended metaphor in [Job 6:14-20](/job/6-14-20 "Job's Analogy of the Deceptive Brooks"), comparing his friends, who have failed to offer true comfort, to "a brook" or "streams of brooks" that "pass away." Verse 16 continues this vivid imagery, detailing the initial appearance of these streams—"Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow is hid"—setting the stage for the subsequent revelation of their ultimate unreliability in [Job 6:17-20](/job/6-17-20 "The Vanishing Streams"). This analogy serves as a profound indictment of his friends' superficial and ultimately unhelpful counsel, contrasting their initial promise of support with their actual abandonment and judgmental accusations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in [Job 6:16](/job/6-16 "Job 6:16 - The Deceptive Streams") draws heavily from the natural phenomena of the ancient Near East, particularly the seasonal wadis (dry riverbeds) or streams in mountainous or desert regions. In lands like Mesopotamia, Syria-Palestine, and the Arabian Peninsula, water sources were precious and often unpredictable. Streams fed by melting snow and ice from higher elevations, especially during winter and spring, would swell and appear robust, often dark or "blackish" due to silt, shadows, or the sheer depth of cold water. These streams offered a deceptive promise of sustained life to travelers and inhabitants, who would depend on them for survival. However, as the hot, dry summer months approached, these very waterways would quickly diminish and vanish, leaving behind only parched, empty channels. This cycle of deceptive abundance followed by complete desiccation was a common and often fatal experience, making the metaphor deeply resonant with an audience familiar with the harsh realities of desert survival and the critical importance of reliable water.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within Job's broader discourse, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Disappointment in Human Support**, portraying Job's bitter disillusionment with his friends. What initially appeared to be a source of solace and empathetic understanding proved to be fleeting and ultimately unhelpful, much like the deceptive stream that vanishes when most needed. Secondly, it highlights **The Deceptive Nature of Appearances**, emphasizing how something that looks promising and full of life (the "blackish" stream) can be utterly unreliable when truly needed, underscoring the stark contrast between outward show and true substance. This resonates with Job's experience of his friends' words, which sounded wise but lacked genuine compassion, as he articulates throughout [Job 6](/job/6 "Job's Lament"). Finally, the verse underscores the profound **Vulnerability and Reliance** of humanity, particularly in times of extreme distress. It speaks to the deep human need for genuine compassion, steadfast presence, and reliability, and the excruciating pain when that fundamental need is not met, a theme echoed throughout Job's lamentations (e.g., [Job 16:2](/job/16-2 "Job complains about miserable comforters")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **blackish (Hebrew, _qâdar'_):** This word (קֹדְרִים, *qoderim*) is derived from the root H6937 (qâdar), meaning "to be ashy, i.e. darkcolored; by implication, to mourn." In this context, it describes the appearance of the streams as dark, deep, and turbid. This darkness can stem from the sheer volume of cold water, silt carried by melting snow, or simply the shadows cast by their depth. The term subtly carries connotations of gloom or somberness, foreshadowing the disappointment associated with these streams. It emphasizes the visual deception—what appears full and abundant is, in fact, only temporarily so.
* **hid (Hebrew, _ʻâlam'_):** The Hebrew word (נֶעְלָם, *ne'lam*) comes from the root H5956 (ʻâlam), meaning "to veil from sight, i.e. conceal." The phrase "wherein the snow is hid" implies that the source of the stream's temporary abundance (the melting snow and ice) is not immediately visible or obvious, but it is the very thing that will eventually deplete, leading to the stream's disappearance. This "hidden" aspect adds to the deceptive nature: the source of their temporary fullness also contains the seeds of their eventual failure, a truth concealed until the time of desperate need.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which are blackish by reason of the ice":** This clause describes the initial visual impression of the streams, emphasizing their dark, deep, and full appearance. This impression, however, is not due to an inherent, constant source but rather to the presence of melting ice. The darkness suggests depth and abundance, conveying a false sense of reliability and permanence. The explicit mention of "ice" immediately points to the transient, seasonal source of the water, subtly hinting at its temporary nature even as it contributes to the stream's imposing appearance.
* **"[and] wherein the snow is hid":** This second clause further elaborates on the source of the stream's deceptive fullness. The "snow" is identified as the primary, albeit concealed, reservoir, melting and feeding the stream. The phrase "is hid" suggests that the ultimate source of their water is not a constant spring but a finite, diminishing supply of melting snow, often from distant mountains. This hiddenness reinforces the idea of an underlying fragility that is not immediately apparent, making the stream's eventual disappearance all the more surprising and disappointing to those who depend on it.

#### Literary Devices
Job 6:16 is rich in **Imagery** and functions as a crucial part of an extended **Metaphor**. The verse employs vivid sensory details to paint a picture of the streams: "blackish" appeals to sight, suggesting depth, coldness, and perhaps a foreboding quality. The explicit mention of "ice" and "snow" evokes the chill of winter and the inherently transient nature of frozen water. This detailed imagery serves to build the foundation for the central metaphor, where Job's "brethren" (his friends) are implicitly compared to these deceptive streams. The **Parallelism** within the verse, describing two aspects of the same phenomenon ("blackish by reason of the ice" and "wherein the snow is hid"), reinforces the singular idea of a temporary, unreliable water source. This literary craftsmanship allows Job to convey his profound sense of betrayal and the superficiality of his friends' comfort without explicitly stating it in this verse, letting the powerful natural imagery speak for itself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 6:16, through its poignant imagery of deceptive streams, deeply resonates with broader theological themes concerning human reliability and divine faithfulness. It underscores the inherent limitations of human comfort and support, particularly in the face of profound suffering. While friends may initially appear full of empathy and wisdom, their words and actions can ultimately prove as fleeting and unreliable as a wadi that dries up in the heat of adversity. This highlights the painful reality that human relationships, however well-intentioned, are often insufficient to meet the deepest needs of the soul, especially when confronted with existential crises. The verse implicitly points to the necessity of seeking a more steadfast and unfailing source of comfort and sustenance, ultimately found in God alone, whose faithfulness is not subject to seasonal changes or human frailties, and whose compassion is boundless.

* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "The Lord's Mercies Never Fail")
* [Psalm 146:3-5](/psalm/146-3-5 "Do Not Put Your Trust in Princes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's lament in [Job 6:16](/job/6-16 "Job 6:16 - The Deceptive Streams") offers profound insights for believers today, challenging us to examine the sources of our comfort and the nature of our relationships, especially during times of trial. We are reminded that genuine compassion and steadfast presence are invaluable, far outweighing superficial words or quick solutions. This verse serves as a powerful call to cultivate friendships rooted in unwavering loyalty and empathetic understanding, friendships that do not falter when life becomes difficult. Furthermore, it prompts us to reflect on where our ultimate trust lies. While human support is a precious gift from God, Job's experience vividly illustrates its limitations and potential for disappointment. It compels us to recognize that only God's faithfulness is constant and unwavering, an eternal wellspring when all human sources of comfort dry up. In our suffering, we are invited to turn to the One who truly understands our pain and whose presence is an unfailing comfort, providing solace that transcends all earthly disappointments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when those I expect comfort from disappoint me?**
* **In what ways might I unknowingly offer "deceptive comfort" to others, and how can I cultivate more genuine, steadfast support?**
* **Where do I primarily place my trust for comfort and security—in human relationships or in God?**
* **How does understanding the transient nature of human support deepen my appreciation for God's unchanging character and unfailing love?**

### FAQ
**What does Job mean by comparing his friends to "blackish" streams with "hidden snow"?**

Answer: Job is using a vivid metaphor drawn from the natural world of the ancient Near East. "Blackish" streams (קֹדְרִים, _qoderim'_) refer to seasonal wadis or riverbeds that appear full, deep, and dark during the cold seasons, primarily due to melting ice and hidden snow from mountain sources. This appearance gives a deceptive impression of abundance and reliability. However, as Job explains in the subsequent verses ([Job 6:17-20](/job/6-17-20 "Job 6:17-20 - The Streams Vanish")), these streams are temporary; they vanish completely in the heat of summer. By comparing his friends to these streams, Job means that their initial appearance of coming to comfort him was misleading. They seemed full of potential support and wisdom, but when he truly needed steadfast, empathetic comfort, they proved unreliable, offering accusations and empty platitudes instead of genuine solace. The "hidden snow" signifies that the source of their temporary "fullness" (their initial sympathy) was finite and would eventually deplete, leaving him parched and disappointed.

**Is Job suggesting that all human comfort is unreliable?**

Answer: Job's lament in [Job 6:16](/job/6-16 "Job 6:16 - The Deceptive Streams") is a deeply personal expression of his profound disappointment in his specific friends, who failed to provide the genuine comfort he desperately needed. He is not necessarily condemning all human comfort universally, but rather highlighting its inherent limitations and the pain of its absence when most needed. The book of Job itself acknowledges the value of true friendship (e.g., [Job 2:11-13](/job/2-11-13 "Job 2:11-13 - Job's Friends Arrive")). However, Job's experience underscores that even well-intentioned human support can be insufficient or even detrimental in the face of immense suffering. Ultimately, the narrative points to the necessity of finding ultimate solace and steadfastness in God, who alone is truly unfailing. The verse serves as a cautionary reminder that while human relationships are valuable and necessary, they cannot bear the weight of ultimate reliance that belongs only to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's poignant lament in [Job 6:16](/job/6-16 "Job 6:16 - The Deceptive Streams"), describing the deceptive and ultimately vanishing streams, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job's friends proved to be unreliable sources of comfort, like the wadis that dry up in the heat of adversity, Jesus presents Himself as the antithesis of such fleeting support. He is the true and everlasting source of "living water" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), a wellspring that never runs dry, even in the most scorching trials of life. Unlike the "blackish" streams whose temporary abundance is due to hidden, diminishing snow, Christ's fullness is eternal and inexhaustible, flowing from His very nature as God incarnate. He is the "friend who sticks closer than a brother" ([Proverbs 18:24](/proverbs/18-24 "Proverbs 18:24 - A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother")), offering not superficial platitudes but genuine empathy, as demonstrated by His weeping with those who mourn ([John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")). In Jesus, we find the steadfast comforter, the faithful companion, and the divine provider whose mercies are new every morning ([Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "The Lord's Mercies Never Fail")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of the need for reliable solace that Job so desperately sought, offering an everlasting spring of grace and truth that transcends all human limitations and disappointments, making Him the truly unfailing hope in every season of life ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever")).

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.