Job 6:19

KJV

The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

KJV (with Strong's)

The troops {H734} of Tema {H8485} looked {H5027}, the companies {H1979} of Sheba {H7614} waited {H6960} for them.

Complete Jewish Bible

The caravans from Tema look for them, the travelers from Sh'va hope to find them;

Berean Standard Bible

The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

American Standard Version

The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 6:19 encapsulates Job's profound disillusionment as he recounts the failure of expected sources of comfort and aid. In this poignant lament, he describes how renowned caravans from distant, wealthy lands—Tema and Sheba—passed by without offering the solace, understanding, or practical help he so desperately anticipated in his immense suffering, thereby deepening his sense of isolation and abandonment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 6 opens with Job's impassioned response to Eliphaz's well-intentioned but ultimately unhelpful counsel. Eliphaz had suggested that Job's suffering was a consequence of sin, urging him to repent. Job, however, vehemently denies this premise, asserting his innocence and expressing the overwhelming, almost unbearable, weight of his grief. He longs for death as an escape from his agony, comparing his suffering to a raging torrent that would overwhelm even the most steadfast heart. This verse, [Job 6:19](/job/6-19 "Job 6:19 - The Disappointment of Expected Aid"), is part of Job's extended lament where he articulates the depth of his despair and the utter failure of all human sources—friends, external aid, or even the hope of relief—to alleviate his pain. It highlights his profound isolation and the inadequacy of worldly resources in the face of divine affliction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tema and Sheba were prominent regions in ancient Arabia, renowned for their strategic locations along major trade routes, particularly the lucrative incense and spice trade. Tema (modern Tayma in Saudi Arabia) was an important oasis city and a significant caravan stop, known for its wealth and influence. Sheba (likely in modern Yemen, associated with the Sabaean kingdom) was a powerful and wealthy kingdom, famously visited by the [Queen of Sheba who sought Solomon's wisdom](/1_kings/10-1 "1 Kings 10:1 - The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon"). The mention of "troops" or "caravans" from these places evokes images of well-equipped, resourceful, and potentially knowledgeable travelers. For Job to expect aid or wisdom from such esteemed and distant sources, only to be met with their indifferent passing, underscores the exceptional nature of his suffering. It implies that even the most well-resourced and respected human avenues of help were utterly incapable of addressing his profound spiritual and physical anguish, intensifying his sense of abandonment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Failed Expectations**, vividly portraying the crushing disappointment of anticipating comfort or relief from specific sources, only to find them utterly wanting. Job's hope, like the desert traveler's expectation of water, is dashed, leaving him more desolate than before. Secondly, it underscores Job's profound **Isolation**, emphasizing his feeling of being utterly alone in his suffering, with even distant, potentially helpful groups passing by without offering aid or understanding. This sense of abandonment is a recurring motif throughout his laments. Thirdly, the act of waiting ("waited for them") that results in nothing ("looked" but saw no help) is a poignant picture of **Hope Deferred**, echoing the sentiment found in [Proverbs 13:12](/proverbs/13-12 "Proverbs 13:12 - Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick") where "hope deferred makes the heart sick." Finally, the verse highlights the **Insufficiency of Human Wisdom and Resources**. Job is learning that human wisdom and material wealth, even from respected or wealthy areas like Tema and Sheba, are utterly inadequate in the face of such profound, divinely ordained trials, pointing to a higher, divine source of ultimate comfort and vindication.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Troops (Hebrew, _ʼōrḥōṯ'_):** While often translated "troops" (KJV) or "caravans" (NIV, ESV), the Hebrew term primarily refers to "traveling companies" or "caravans." This emphasizes the transient nature of these groups and their journeying through the desert. It suggests an expectation of passing travelers who might offer a moment of respite, news, or even supplies, making their failure to do so all the more poignant for Job.
* **Looked (Hebrew, _hibbîṭ'_):** This verb implies an intense, expectant gaze, a hopeful searching. It's not a casual glance but a deliberate act of looking towards a source from which help or relief is anticipated. The disappointment is magnified because the "looking" was filled with a desperate hope that was ultimately unfulfilled.
* **Waited (Hebrew, _yiḥălû'_):** This word conveys a sense of patient, enduring expectation, a lingering hope. It suggests a prolonged period of anticipation for something to materialize. The combination of "looked" and "waited" paints a picture of Job's deep, sustained longing for relief, only to be met with emptiness, amplifying his despair.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The troops of Tema looked":** This clause introduces the first group, the caravans from Tema, a significant oasis and trading hub. "Looked" (Hebrew _hibbîṭ_) implies an intense, hopeful gaze, suggesting that these travelers, perhaps thirsty and weary, were themselves looking for something—water, shelter, or perhaps a sign of their destination. The irony is that Job, the one in dire need, is observing *them* looking, perhaps for what *he* could not provide, or perhaps they are looking for a sign of *their* own relief, passing by Job's suffering unnoticed.
* **"the companies of Sheba waited for them":** This second clause introduces the caravans from Sheba, another wealthy and powerful trading kingdom. The "companies" (Hebrew _hălîḵōṯ_) also denote traveling groups or convoys. "Waited for them" (Hebrew _yiḥălû lāmô_) suggests a patient, enduring expectation. This could mean they waited for the Tema caravans to arrive, perhaps for a rendezvous or shared journey, or it could be a parallel statement to the first clause, implying that these companies, too, were waiting for something—relief, sustenance, or a sign of hope in the desolate landscape. In either interpretation, they are self-absorbed in their own expectations, oblivious or indifferent to Job's profound need, further cementing his isolation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs striking **Parallelism**, a common feature of Hebrew poetry, where the two clauses ("The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them") mirror each other in structure and meaning, reinforcing the central idea of unfulfilled expectation. This is specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, as both lines convey the same core message of distant, potentially resourceful groups failing to deliver aid or solace. The imagery of "troops" and "companies" from renowned trading centers passing by without intervention serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for the failure of all human and worldly sources to provide comfort or understanding in Job's unique suffering. The **Irony** is palpable: those who are themselves on a journey, perhaps seeking their own relief or commerce, are depicted as the very ones from whom Job might have expected help, yet they offer none, highlighting the profound and unexpected nature of his abandonment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 6:19 serves as a poignant illustration of the limitations of human resources and wisdom in the face of profound suffering and divine trial. It underscores the theological truth that while we often look to worldly sources—friends, wealth, status, or even distant, renowned wisdom—for comfort and solutions, these are ultimately insufficient when confronted with the deeper spiritual and existential crises of life. Job's experience teaches that true solace and understanding must come from a source beyond human capacity, driving him toward a recognition of God's sovereignty even in suffering. This verse sets the stage for Job's eventual realization that his vindication and hope lie not in human intervention, but in his Redeemer.

* [Psalm 60:11](/psalms/60-11 "Psalm 60:11 - Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man.")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-6](/jeremiah/17-5-6 "Jeremiah 17:5-6 - Cursed is the one who trusts in man")
* [Psalm 146:3](/psalms/146-3 "Psalm 146:3 - Put not your trust in princes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's bitter disappointment in this verse resonates deeply with the human experience of unmet expectations and the sting of abandonment. We, like Job, often place our hope and trust in various human sources—friends, family, institutions, or even our own efforts—to deliver us from distress. Yet, there are moments in life when these wellsprings run dry, when the "caravans" we expect to bring comfort pass by, leaving us more isolated than before. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the inherent limitations of all human aid and wisdom. It challenges us to examine where we truly place our ultimate hope and reliance. When earthly sources fail, as they inevitably will, it is an invitation, however painful, to turn our gaze upward, to recognize that true, unwavering comfort and strength can only be found in God alone. This realization, though born of suffering, can lead to a more profound and resilient faith, rooted in the steadfast presence and promises of the Almighty, rather than the fleeting provisions of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do you tend to place your primary hope and expectation for comfort and solutions when facing trials?**
* **How have you experienced the disappointment of "failed caravans" in your own life, and what did you learn from those moments?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge you to re-evaluate your reliance on human resources versus divine provision?**

### FAQ
**Why would Job expect help from "troops" or "companies" from distant lands like Tema and Sheba?**

Answer: Job's expectation stems from the ancient Near Eastern context where caravans, especially from wealthy and influential regions like Tema and Sheba, were not merely commercial ventures but also conduits of information, wisdom, and resources. These groups traveled vast distances, connecting different cultures and often carrying not just goods but also news, remedies, and even philosophical insights. For someone in Job's desperate state, isolated and suffering, the passing of such groups would naturally represent a potential lifeline—a source of news from the outside world, a wise traveler who might offer counsel, or even practical aid. His disappointment highlights that even these seemingly resourceful and worldly avenues proved utterly incapable of addressing his profound and unique suffering, emphasizing the depth of his abandonment and the inadequacy of human solutions. It's a metaphor for the failure of all external, human-derived comfort.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's bitter lament in [Job 6:19](/job/6-19 "Job 6:19 - The Disappointment of Expected Aid"), where earthly "caravans" fail to bring comfort, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in the person of Jesus Christ. While Job experienced the profound disappointment of human insufficiency, Christ embodies the divine sufficiency. He is the true "caravan" of salvation, bringing not fleeting relief but eternal life and perfect comfort. Unlike the passing companies of Tema and Sheba who offered no aid, Jesus actively sought out the suffering, offering healing, hope, and forgiveness. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one who bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows")). Where Job found only isolation, believers find ultimate fellowship and an empathetic High Priest in Christ, who was [tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands Our Weakness"). His suffering on the cross, far from being a failure of aid, was the supreme act of divine intervention, ensuring that those who trust in Him will never be abandoned but will receive the [comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God](/2_corinthians/1-4 "2 Corinthians 1:4 - God of All Comfort"). He is the steadfast hope that will never disappoint, the source of living water in the spiritual desert, unlike the empty wells Job encountered.

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

Genesis 25:15

Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

Isaiah 21:14

The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

Jeremiah 25:23

Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all [that are] in the utmost corners,

1 Kings 10:1

¶ And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.

Ezekiel 27:22

The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they [were] thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.

Ezekiel 27:23

Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, [and] Chilmad, [were] thy merchants.

Genesis 10:7

And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.