Job 6:5

KJV

Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

KJV (with Strong's)

Doth the wild ass {H6501} bray {H5101} when he hath grass {H1877}? or loweth {H1600} the ox {H7794} over his fodder {H1098}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass? Does an ox low when it has fodder?

Berean Standard Bible

Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?

American Standard Version

Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 6:5, a powerful rhetorical question, serves as Job's impassioned defense of his profound lamentations to his friends. Through vivid imagery of a wild ass braying only when hungry and an ox lowing only when without fodder, Job asserts that his cries of anguish are not arbitrary or unwarranted, but a natural, instinctual, and justifiable response to the overwhelming and inexplicable suffering he endures. This verse underscores the authenticity of his pain and implicitly challenges his friends' lack of empathy, suggesting that genuine distress naturally emits a cry, just as contentment brings silence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 6:5 is situated within Job's first extensive response (chapters 6-7) to Eliphaz's initial, rather harsh, counsel in [Job 4-5](/job/4 "Job 4-5 - Eliphaz's First Discourse to Job"). Eliphaz had suggested that Job's suffering was a direct consequence of hidden sin, implying that the righteous do not perish. Job, deeply wounded by this accusation and the perceived lack of compassion, launches into a passionate defense of his lament. He expresses a profound desire for death in [Job 6:8-9](/job/6-8 "Job 6:8-9 - Job's Desire for Death") and questions the faithfulness of his friends in [Job 6:14-15](/job/6-14 "Job 6:14-15 - Job's Rebuke of his Friends"). The rhetorical questions in verse 5 serve as a foundational argument for the legitimacy of his sorrow, setting the stage for his subsequent pleas and complaints.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, likely in the ancient Near East, a region where pastoralism and agriculture were central to life. The imagery of wild asses and oxen would have been immediately relatable to an audience familiar with these animals and their behaviors. Wild asses were known for their untamed nature and distinctive, often loud, braying, while oxen were crucial for labor and food, their lowing indicating need or distress. The cultural expectation was often for individuals to stoically endure suffering, especially if it was perceived as divine judgment. Job's open lament, therefore, challenged these norms, making his rhetorical question about natural animal behavior particularly potent in asserting the validity of his emotional expression against societal expectations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it champions the **justification of lament**, arguing that authentic suffering naturally gives rise to expressions of pain, much like a hungry animal cries out for food. It highlights the **nature of suffering** itself, portraying it not as a theoretical concept but as a visceral, instinctual experience that demands acknowledgment. Furthermore, it implicitly underscores the theme of **empathy and true friendship**, as Job's questions challenge his friends' inability to grasp the depth of his agony and their tendency to offer simplistic theological explanations rather than genuine comfort. This also ties into the broader theme of **divine justice and human understanding**, as Job grapples with the apparent disconnect between his righteousness and his immense affliction, a central tension throughout the book, as seen in his plea for a hearing from God in [Job 13:3](/job/13-3 "Job 13:3 - Job's Desire to Argue with God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bray (Hebrew, _nahak'_):** This verb specifically refers to the loud, harsh cry of a wild ass. Unlike a gentle whinny or a contented sigh, _nahak_ denotes a sound of distress, hunger, or dissatisfaction. Its use here emphasizes the unignorable, piercing nature of Job's own cries, suggesting they are as natural and unavoidable as the wild ass's lament when it lacks sustenance.
* **Loweth (Hebrew, _ga'ah'_):** This verb describes the deep, resonant sound made by an ox. While an ox might low for various reasons, in this context, paired with "over his fodder," it clearly signifies a cry of longing, hunger, or discontent. It implies that the animal's vocalization is directly tied to a state of need, not contentment, mirroring Job's argument for the legitimacy of his own lament.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass?"**: This opening clause presents a rhetorical question, immediately drawing the listener into an undeniable truth from the natural world. The "wild ass" (פֶּרֶא, _pere_) is known for its untamed nature and its distinctive, often mournful, bray. The question posits that such an animal, when fully satisfied with "grass" (its natural food), would have no reason to cry out in distress. The implied answer is a resounding "No," establishing the principle that a creature only cries out when in genuine need or discomfort.
* **"or loweth the ox over his fodder?"**: This second clause parallels the first, reinforcing the same principle with a different, domesticated animal. The "ox" (שׁוֹר, _shor_), a symbol of strength and utility, when provided with "fodder" (its prepared food), would likewise be content and silent. Its "lowing" (גָּעָה, _ga'ah_) is associated with hunger or discomfort. The rhetorical question again demands a "No" answer, solidifying Job's argument: just as contented animals do not cry out, neither would Job lament if he were not genuinely and profoundly suffering. His cries are therefore a natural and justifiable response to his dire circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Job 6:5 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is not intended to elicit an answer but to make a self-evident point, thereby emphasizing the speaker's conviction and the undeniable truth of his statement. By posing two parallel questions about animal behavior, Job compels his friends to acknowledge a basic principle of nature: creatures only cry out when in need. This leads to the use of **Analogy** or **Simile**, where Job implicitly compares his own lament to the natural cries of hungry animals. His suffering is as real and as justifiable a cause for lament as hunger is for a wild ass or an ox. Furthermore, the verse exhibits **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("or loweth the ox over his fodder?") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first ("Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass?"), strengthening the argument through repetition of a similar idea. The vivid **Imagery** of braying wild asses and lowing oxen grounds the abstract concept of suffering in concrete, relatable experiences from the ancient Near Eastern world, making Job's plea for understanding more immediate and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 6:5 offers profound theological insights into the nature of human suffering and the legitimacy of lament before God. It challenges the simplistic theological framework of retribution, which often asserts that suffering is always a direct result of sin. Job argues that his cries are not a sign of rebellion or spiritual failing, but an authentic, instinctual response to profound, inexplicable pain. This verse validates the human experience of distress, affirming that it is natural and even necessary to vocalize deep sorrow and confusion. It underscores that true spiritual maturity does not necessarily mean stoic silence in the face of agony, but rather the courage to bring one's raw emotions, even lament and protest, before God and community. This perspective aligns with a biblical understanding that God is not distant from human suffering but hears and responds to the cries of His people, even when those cries are born of confusion and pain.

* [Psalm 107:6](/psalms/107-6 "God Hears Cries in Distress")
* [Psalm 38:9](/psalms/38-9 "God Knows Our Longing")
* [Lamentations 3:19-20](/lamentations/3-19 "Remembering Affliction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 6:5 serves as a powerful validation for the human experience of pain and the necessity of lament. In a world that often pressures individuals to "be strong" or "have faith" by suppressing their sorrow, Job's words remind us that authentic spiritual life includes the freedom to express genuine distress. Just as a hungry animal's cry is a natural signal of need, so too are our tears, groans, and questions in times of profound suffering. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of empathy towards others, recognizing that their outward expressions of pain are often direct echoes of deep inner agony, not necessarily signs of spiritual weakness or hidden sin. It challenges us to listen with compassion, offer presence rather than platitudes, and create safe spaces where individuals can voice their true feelings without fear of judgment. Ultimately, it encourages us to bring our whole selves, including our brokenness and confusion, into our relationship with God, trusting that He is big enough to handle our lament and compassionate enough to hear our cries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's rhetorical question challenge common assumptions about suffering and spiritual strength in our culture today?**
* **When have you felt the need to "bray" or "low" due to deep pain, and how did you express it?**
* **How can we better cultivate empathy and create safe spaces for lament within our communities and churches?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's receptiveness to our raw, honest emotions, even our protests?**

### FAQ

**Why does Job use animal analogies here?**

Answer: Job uses animal analogies to make a self-evident point that his suffering is so profound and real that his lament is as natural and unavoidable as an animal's cry when it is hungry or distressed. He argues that just as a wild ass would not bray if it had grass, nor an ox low if it had fodder, a human being would not lament so deeply without genuine and overwhelming cause. This common-sense observation from nature serves to validate his expressions of pain and to challenge his friends' lack of understanding and empathy. It highlights the instinctual, undeniable nature of his anguish.

**Does this verse suggest it's okay to complain to God?**

Answer: Absolutely. Job's entire book, and this verse in particular, strongly suggests that it is not only "okay" but often necessary and authentic to express one's raw emotions, including complaints and questions, to God. The biblical tradition of lament, found extensively in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 22:1-2](/psalms/22-1 "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")), provides a framework for bringing pain, confusion, and even anger directly to the Lord. Job's rhetorical questions are a form of protest and a plea for understanding, demonstrating that God is big enough to handle our deepest struggles and our most honest expressions of distress.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "suffering well"?**

Answer: This verse challenges a narrow interpretation of "suffering well" that might imply stoic silence or a forced cheerfulness in the face of pain. For Job, "suffering well" involves authentic expression of his agony, seeking understanding, and wrestling with God and his circumstances. It suggests that true resilience is not the absence of lament, but the courage to voice one's pain, even to God, without shame. It encourages a compassionate response to those who are suffering, prioritizing empathy and presence over simplistic theological explanations or demands for emotional suppression. The lament of Job, like the laments in the Psalms, shows that "suffering well" often includes crying out, questioning, and expressing profound sorrow, while still holding onto a deeper, albeit often strained, trust in God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 6:5, with its poignant defense of lament, finds profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job's lament stems from inexplicable suffering and a perceived lack of justice, Christ's life validates and sanctifies human suffering in a unique way. Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, did not "bray" or "low" in contentment, but experienced the deepest human anguish, culminating in His cries on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). This cry, echoing [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"), was not a sign of spiritual weakness but the authentic expression of the Son of God bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and separation from the Father. Jesus' Gethsemane prayer, where He wrestled with His impending agony, sweating drops of blood ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")), further validates the right to express profound distress. In Christ, our laments are not only understood but are met with divine empathy, for we have a High Priest who "in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). He entered into the full spectrum of human suffering, including the "braying" of deep sorrow, so that our own cries of pain are not unheard or dismissed, but are brought into His redemptive work, ultimately leading to the "joy that was set before him" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith")) and the promise that He will one day "wipe away every tear from their eyes" ([Revelation 21:4](/rev/21-4 "No More Tears")).

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 14:6

And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass.

Joel 1:18

How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

Joel 1:20

The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

Psalms 42:1

¶ To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalms 104:14

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;