Job 6:29

KJV

Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness [is] in it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Return {H7725}, I pray you, let it not be iniquity {H5766}; yea, return again {H7725}, my righteousness {H6664} is in it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Think it over, please; don't let wrong be done. Think it over again: my cause is just.

Berean Standard Bible

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

American Standard Version

Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 6:29 encapsulates Job's earnest plea to his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, urging them to reconsider their harsh accusations and judgmental stance. Amidst his profound suffering, Job vehemently asserts his personal integrity and uprightness, denying that his immense affliction is a direct consequence of hidden sin or moral crookedness, as his companions imply. This verse serves as a pivotal declaration of his innocence, challenging the prevailing retribution theology of his day and highlighting the deep chasm between Job's lived experience and his friends' rigid theological framework.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 6:29 is situated within Job's first extensive response to Eliphaz, following Eliphaz's initial, somewhat condescending, speech in [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") and [Job 5](/job/5 "Job 5 - Eliphaz's Continued Counsel"). In [Job 6:1-13](/job/6-13 "Job 6:1-13 - Job's Despair and Plea for Death"), Job expresses his overwhelming despair, lamenting his suffering and even wishing for death. He then turns to rebuke his friends for their unhelpful and seemingly treacherous counsel, likening them to dried-up streams that fail to provide comfort when most needed ([Job 6:14-27](/job/6-27 "Job 6:14-27 - Job Rebukes His Friends")). This verse, therefore, is a direct, impassioned appeal for his friends to abandon their accusatory posture and acknowledge his righteousness, which he believes is evident even in his suffering. It marks a crucial shift from his lament to a direct confrontation of their flawed logic and lack of empathy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era, likely in the land of Uz, a region possibly east of Palestine. The cultural backdrop is dominated by a strong belief in "retribution theology," a common ancient Near Eastern understanding that linked prosperity and well-being directly to righteousness, and suffering and misfortune directly to sin. This worldview is precisely what Job's friends represent and rigorously uphold. They operate under the assumption that Job's extraordinary suffering *must* be due to extraordinary sin, even if unconfessed. Job 6:29 challenges this simplistic, cause-and-effect understanding of divine justice, asserting that suffering can occur even when one maintains integrity, thus setting the stage for a profound theological debate that transcends the common wisdom of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the Book of Job. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **integrity versus accusation**, as Job vehemently defends his blameless character against the relentless implications of his friends. This echoes the initial divine assessment of Job as "perfect and upright, one that feared God, and eschewed evil" in [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job 1:1 - Description of Job's Character"). Secondly, it highlights the **inadequacy of human wisdom** when confronting the complexities of divine providence and human suffering. The friends' counsel, though rooted in traditional theology, proves to be misguided and unhelpful, as Eliphaz's assertion that "whoever perished, being innocent?" in [Job 4:7](/job/4-7 "Job 4:7 - Eliphaz's Argument on the Innocent") directly contrasts Job's experience. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **theodicy**, the question of God's justice in the face of suffering, as Job's plea for his friends to "return" is a call for them to acknowledge that God's ways are more complex than their simplistic framework allows, a truth ultimately affirmed by God Himself in [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - God's Rebuke of Job's Friends").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This word is a strong imperative, repeated for emphasis ("Return... return again"). It signifies a turning back, a reversal of course, or a retreat. Here, Job is not calling for his friends to repent of sin in the spiritual sense, but to turn away from their mistaken judgment and accusatory posture. It's a desperate plea for them to reconsider their theological premise and their treatment of him, to come back to a place of compassion and understanding, and to cease their unhelpful counsel.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻevel'_):** This term refers to moral evil, perverseness, or unrighteousness. It denotes a deviation from what is right, often implying a deliberate act that incurs culpability or guilt. By saying "let it not be iniquity," Job is directly refuting his friends' underlying assumption that his suffering is a just consequence of some hidden moral failing on his part. He denies that his situation is rooted in such a profound moral transgression, asserting his innocence in the face of their accusations.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsedeq'_):** This word denotes the right (natural, moral, or legal), equity, justice, and moral rectitude. It refers to Job's adherence to God's ways and his blameless conduct. When Job declares "my righteousness [is] in it," he is asserting that his moral integrity remains intact despite his inexplicable suffering. He is not claiming absolute sinlessness (which no human can), but rather denying the specific charge that his current calamity is a direct result of unconfessed or hidden sin, thus affirming his upright standing before God and man in this context.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity":** This is Job's urgent and heartfelt appeal. The repetition of "Return" (implied by "return again" later) underscores his desperation for his friends to change their perspective. "Let it not be iniquity" is a direct challenge to their premise. Job is begging them to cease their accusations and to recognize that his suffering is not, as they assume, a just punishment for some hidden sin. He wants them to abandon their rigid theological framework that equates suffering directly with personal transgression.
* **"yea, return again":** This phrase intensifies the preceding plea. It's not just a request for a momentary pause, but for a complete and sustained shift in their understanding and approach. Job desires a genuine reconsideration of his situation and their counsel, emphasizing the earnestness of his desire for true empathy rather than continued condemnation. This repetition highlights the depth of his anguish and his desperate need for his friends to see him truly.
* **"my righteousness [is] in it":** This is Job's powerful declaration of his integrity. The phrase "in it" refers to his current state of suffering or his overall situation. Despite the outward appearance of divine judgment, Job asserts that his moral uprightness and blamelessness are intact and are not the cause of his affliction. He is confidently stating that his character is not compromised by his calamity, and that his suffering does not negate his righteousness. He stands firm in his integrity even amidst inexplicable pain.

#### Literary Devices
Job 6:29 employs several potent literary devices to convey Job's impassioned plea and resolute declaration. The most prominent is **Repetition**, with the imperative "Return" (Hebrew _shûwb_) being emphasized by its implicit recurrence in "return again." This repetition underscores the urgency, desperation, and earnestness of Job's appeal for his friends to reconsider their stance. The phrase "let it not be iniquity" functions as a **Rhetorical Plea** or a strong **Negation**, directly refuting the core assumption of his friends' arguments. Finally, "my righteousness [is] in it" is a powerful **Assertion** and **Declaration**, serving as Job's unwavering self-vindication against their accusations. There is also an element of **Irony** in the scene, as those who came to comfort Job have become his accusers, forcing him to defend his integrity rather than receive solace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 6:29 stands as a profound statement on the complexities of human suffering and divine justice, challenging simplistic theological explanations. It underscores the biblical truth that not all suffering is a direct consequence of personal sin, a concept often difficult for humanity to grasp. Job's unwavering assertion of his righteousness, even in the face of immense pain and false accusation, prefigures the broader biblical theme of suffering for righteousness' sake. It calls believers to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and wisdom, which often transcends human logic and conventional wisdom. The verse also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion and humility when ministering to those in distress, urging us to avoid the judgmental pitfalls of Job's friends.

* [Job 1:1](/job/1-1 "Job's Blameless Character")
* [Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "God's Rebuke of Job's Friends")
* [1 Peter 4:16](/1_peter/4-16 "Suffering for Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's impassioned plea in Job 6:29 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a world where suffering is pervasive. It challenges us to examine our own tendencies to quickly attribute misfortune to personal sin, reminding us that God's ways are often inscrutable and His purposes extend beyond our limited understanding. Just as Job longed for his friends to "return" to a place of empathy, we are called to approach those in pain with compassion, active listening, and humble support, rather than offering pat answers or judgmental pronouncements. Furthermore, Job's resolute declaration, "my righteousness [is] in it," serves as an powerful encouragement to stand firm in our integrity when facing false accusations or misunderstandings. It reminds us that our true standing is before God, who sees beyond outward appearances and knows the heart. In moments of undeserved suffering, we can rest in the assurance that our character, if truly anchored in Christ, remains intact, and God will ultimately vindicate the upright.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when I see someone suffering? Do I tend to look for a "reason" or a "sin" that might have caused it?**
* **In what ways can I offer true empathy and comfort to others, avoiding the pitfalls of judgmental counsel?**
* **When faced with false accusations or misunderstandings, how can Job's steadfastness in his integrity encourage me to trust in God's ultimate vindication?**
* **How does my understanding of God's justice influence my interactions with those who are struggling?**

### FAQ

**Is Job claiming perfect sinlessness in this verse?**

Answer: No, Job is not claiming absolute sinlessness in the sense of being without any human fault or imperfection. Throughout the book, Job acknowledges his human frailty (e.g., [Job 9:20](/job/9-20 "Job 9:20 - Job's Admission of Imperfection")). Rather, in Job 6:29, his assertion of "my righteousness [is] in it" is a vehement denial of the *specific* accusation from his friends: that his immense suffering is a direct, punitive consequence of some *unconfessed, egregious sin*. He is defending his integrity and uprightness in the context of the covenant and his blameless conduct before God, asserting that his current calamity does not stem from a moral failing that warrants such severe divine retribution.

**What does Job mean by "my righteousness [is] in it"?**

Answer: When Job declares "my righteousness [is] in it," the "it" refers to his current situation, his suffering, or the very trial he is enduring. He means that despite the appearance of divine judgment, and contrary to his friends' accusations, his moral integrity and uprightness (his "righteousness") remain intact and are not the cause of his affliction. He is asserting that his suffering does not negate his blameless character before God. He is righteous *in* this trial, not suffering *because* of unrighteousness. It is a powerful statement of self-vindication, affirming that his inner uprightness persists even amidst outward calamity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 6:29, with Job's impassioned plea for his friends to "return" from their false accusations and his bold assertion, "my righteousness [is] in it," profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, a righteous man suffering undeservedly, becomes a type of Christ. While Job was a sinner by nature, Christ was perfectly righteous, "who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")). Yet, He suffered the ultimate "iniquity" – not His own, but ours. He was "made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). Job's cry for vindication finds its ultimate answer in Christ's resurrection, where God definitively declared His perfect righteousness and overturned the false accusations of the world and Satan. Furthermore, unlike Job's friends who offered condemnation, Christ is our sympathetic High Priest who truly understands our suffering, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). He is the one who intercedes for us, not accusing, but advocating, offering true comfort and ultimate vindication to all who are found "in Him" ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession for Believers")). Job's suffering points to the greater suffering of the perfectly righteous Lamb of God, whose affliction was not for His own iniquity, but for ours, bringing about our eternal righteousness.

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

Job 17:10

¶ But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.

Job 27:4

My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

Job 27:6

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach [me] so long as I live.

Job 23:10

But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 42:6

Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes.

Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Job 34:5

For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.