Job 6:17

KJV

What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

KJV (with Strong's)

What time {H6256} they wax warm {H2215}, they vanish {H6789}: when it is hot {H2527}, they are consumed out {H1846} of their place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but as the weather warms up, they vanish; when it's hot, they disappear.

Berean Standard Bible

but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

American Standard Version

What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 6:17 is a poignant line within Job's lament, where he compares his unsupportive friends to ephemeral desert streams. Just as these wadis swell with water from melting snow and ice in winter but quickly disappear under the scorching summer sun when water is most desperately needed, so too have his companions, whom he expected to offer comfort and aid, proven unreliable and absent in his profound suffering. The verse vividly captures the moment of their complete desiccation, symbolizing the bitter disappointment and sense of abandonment Job feels from those who should have been steadfast.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 6:17 is embedded within Job's first major response to Eliphaz (Job 6-7), following Eliphaz's rather insensitive and accusatory speech in [Job 4-5](/job/4 "Job 4-5 - Eliphaz's First Speech"). Job's speech in [Job 6](/job/6 "Job 6 - Job's Lament and Plea") is a passionate outpouring of his physical and emotional agony, his longing for death, and his profound disappointment with his friends. The immediate context, beginning around [Job 6:14](/job/6-14 "Job 6:14 - Job's Plea for Pity"), introduces the powerful metaphor of the deceitful brook or wadi. Job explicitly states in [Job 6:15](/job/6-15 "Job 6:15 - Job Compares Friends to Deceitful Brooks"), "My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away." Verse 17 continues this vivid imagery, describing the final, complete disappearance of the water, emphasizing the utter failure of his friends to provide the expected solace. This metaphor serves to underscore the depth of Job's feeling of betrayal and isolation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the "wadi" or seasonal stream is deeply rooted in the arid and semi-arid regions of the ancient Near East, particularly relevant to the landscape of Uz, Job's presumed homeland. Wadis (Hebrew: *naḥal*) are riverbeds that remain dry for most of the year but can suddenly fill with torrents of water during flash floods or from melting snow in distant mountains. Travelers, especially in the intense heat of summer, would rely on these water sources, only to find them completely dried up when most needed. This phenomenon made them a potent symbol of unreliability and false hope. The cultural expectation in this period was also one of profound hospitality and unwavering loyalty among friends and kin, especially in times of distress. Job's friends, by failing to offer true comfort and instead resorting to theological accusations, violated this deeply ingrained cultural norm, intensifying Job's sense of betrayal.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Primarily, it highlights **The Unreliability of Human Support**, contrasting the transient nature of human comfort with the implicit need for a steadfast, unchanging source of strength. Job's friends, representing human wisdom and support, prove utterly inadequate in the face of his overwhelming suffering, mirroring the drying wadi. This leads to the theme of **Profound Disappointment and Betrayal**, as Job's expectations of empathy and solidarity from his closest companions are shattered. The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Steadfastness vs. Human Frailty**. While human aid "vanishes" when trials "wax warm," the book of Job ultimately points to the enduring faithfulness of God, whose presence and wisdom are not subject to the seasons of human suffering. This contrasts with the fleeting nature of human help, a concept echoed in passages like [Psalm 146:3](/psalms/146-3 "Psalm 146:3 - Do Not Trust in Princes") which warns against putting trust in human beings, and [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Word of God Endures Forever") which affirms the enduring nature of God's word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wax warm (Hebrew, _yizzorvu'_):** This verb, יִזֹּרְבוּ (yizzorvu), comes from the root זָרַב (zarab), meaning "to be parched," "to be scorched," or "to dry up." In this context, it vividly describes the process of desiccation, as the sun's heat causes the water in the wadis to evaporate. It conveys the idea of a gradual but inevitable depletion, leading to complete absence. For Job, it signifies the moment his friends' initial, superficial sympathy begins to wane under the pressure of his persistent suffering.
* **Vanish (Hebrew, _nizhārū'_):** The Hebrew word נִזְהָרוּ (nizhārū) is derived from the root זָהַר (zahar), which can mean "to be cut off," "to disappear," or "to be admonished/warned." In this context, particularly within the metaphor of the drying stream, it strongly implies a complete cessation or disappearance. It emphasizes the sudden and absolute absence of the water, leaving no trace behind, just as Job feels his friends have utterly withdrawn their support.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _niṣmᵉṯû'_):** This word, נִצְמְתוּ (niṣmᵉṯû), comes from the root צָמַת (ṣamat), meaning "to be cut off," "to be destroyed," or "to be annihilated." It is a powerful term that underscores the finality and totality of the disappearance. The water is not merely reduced; it is utterly "consumed out of their place," leaving the riverbed completely dry and barren. This word amplifies Job's feeling of utter desolation and the complete failure of his friends' support.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What time they wax warm,"**: This clause refers to the onset of the hot season, when the sun's intense heat begins to affect the wadis. It signifies the arrival of severe trials or prolonged distress in Job's metaphorical comparison. It's the moment when the superficiality of support is tested.
* **"they vanish:"**: As the heat intensifies, the streams quickly and completely disappear. This directly parallels Job's experience of his friends' support evaporating precisely when he needs it most. It conveys a sense of swift and unexpected abandonment.
* **"when it is hot,"**: This reiterates and intensifies the condition described in the first clause. The "hot" season is the time of greatest need for water, and thus, metaphorically, the time of Job's most profound suffering and vulnerability, when reliable comfort is paramount.
* **"they are consumed out of their place."**: This final phrase emphasizes the absolute and irreversible nature of the disappearance. Not only do the streams vanish, but they are utterly "consumed," leaving no trace of their former presence. For Job, this means his friends have not just failed to help, but have become completely absent and irrelevant to his suffering, leaving him utterly alone in his distress.

#### Literary Devices
Job 6:17 is rich in **Imagery** and relies heavily on a powerful **Metaphor**. The central **Metaphor** compares Job's unreliable friends to seasonal wadis or streams that are full and promising in the cold season but quickly dry up and disappear when the heat of summer arrives and water is most desperately needed. This natural phenomenon, familiar to the ancient audience, serves as a poignant analogy for the transient and ultimately unhelpful nature of human support in times of severe trial. The **Imagery** is vivid, evoking the parched desert landscape and the sudden desiccation of water sources, allowing the reader to viscerally feel Job's disappointment and betrayal. The verse also employs a form of **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where "What time they wax warm, they vanish" is echoed and intensified by "when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place." This repetition reinforces the central message of unreliability and complete disappearance, amplifying Job's sense of abandonment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 6:17 serves as a stark reminder of the inherent limitations and often disappointing nature of human relationships and support, especially when faced with overwhelming suffering. While human companionship is a gift, this verse underscores its fragility and unreliability in the crucible of profound adversity. Theologically, it points to the critical distinction between human brokenness and divine steadfastness. Job's lament, born of betrayal by his friends, implicitly drives home the need for a source of comfort and strength that does not "vanish" when the "heat" of life's trials intensifies. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, highlighting God as the ultimate and unfailing refuge.

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never End")
* [2 Timothy 4:16-17](/2_timothy/4-16 "2 Timothy 4:16-17 - Paul's Abandonment and God's Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 6:17 compels us to examine the foundations of our trust and the nature of our expectations from others. In a world where relationships can be as fickle as desert streams, this verse serves as a powerful caution against placing ultimate reliance on human beings, no matter how well-intentioned. It challenges us to cultivate friendships that are marked by genuine empathy, steadfast loyalty, and a willingness to endure alongside others through all seasons of life, not just the easy ones. More profoundly, it redirects our gaze from the potential disappointments of human support to the unwavering faithfulness of God. When our human wells run dry, the Lord remains the inexhaustible spring of living water, ever-present and ever-faithful. Our ultimate comfort and hope must be anchored in Him, for He alone will not "vanish" when the "heat" of life's trials becomes unbearable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be placing too much reliance on human support that could "vanish" when trials arise?**
* **How does Job's disappointment challenge your understanding of true friendship and loyalty?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate more steadfast and empathetic relationships, both as a giver and receiver of support?**
* **How does knowing that God does not "vanish" in times of trouble change your perspective on suffering and reliance?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse suggest we should never trust human friends?**

Answer: Not at all. While Job 6:17 vividly portrays the pain of human unreliability, it doesn't advocate for isolation or distrust of all human relationships. Instead, it serves as a realistic assessment of human limitations and frailty. It reminds us that while human friendships are valuable and necessary (as seen in [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")), they are ultimately finite and can sometimes fail, especially under extreme pressure. The verse encourages discernment and a proper ordering of trust: ultimate reliance belongs to God, who is unfailing, while human relationships, though imperfect, are a gift to be cherished and nurtured with realistic expectations.

**How can I be a "steadfast friend" in light of this verse?**

Answer: To be a steadfast friend means to embody the opposite of the "vanishing stream" metaphor. It involves commitment, empathy, and presence, especially when life "gets hot" for your friend. This means listening without judgment, offering practical help when possible, and consistently showing up even when you don't have all the answers. It requires patience and perseverance, understanding that true support is not conditional on the other person's ability to "get better" quickly or meet your expectations. It's about loving "at all times," as [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times") states, and bearing one another's burdens, as encouraged in [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bear One Another's Burdens").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 6:17, with its lament over vanishing human support, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job's friends proved to be like unreliable wadis, drying up when the heat was most intense, Jesus is the ultimate, unfailing source of living water, whose wellspring never runs dry. He is the friend who "sticks closer than a brother" ([Proverbs 18:24](/proverbs/18-24 "Proverbs 18:24 - A Friend Closer Than a Brother")), demonstrating perfect loyalty and steadfastness even unto death. Unlike Job's companions who withdrew, Christ entered into the deepest human suffering, experiencing abandonment on the cross so that we might never truly be forsaken ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus Cries Out on the Cross")). He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), providing comfort and sustenance that will never "vanish" or be "consumed out of their place." In Him, we find the ultimate reliable source of strength, comfort, and unwavering presence, fulfilling the deepest longing for steadfast support that Job's bitter lament so powerfully expresses. He truly is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and the one in whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), providing an eternal wellspring of grace that will never fail.

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

1 Kings 17:1

¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Job 24:19

Drought and heat consume the snow waters: [so doth] the grave [those which] have sinned.