Job 6:9

Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

Even that it would please {H2974} God {H433} to destroy {H1792} me; that he would let loose {H5425} his hand {H3027}, and cut me off {H1214}!

that God would decide to crush me, that he would let his hand loose and cut me off!

that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!

Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

Commentary

In Job 6:9, Job expresses a profound and desperate wish for God to end his suffering by taking his life. This verse is part of Job's anguished response to the unsympathetic counsel of his friends, particularly Eliphaz, who has suggested Job's suffering is a result of sin. Overwhelmed by physical pain, emotional distress, and spiritual confusion, Job sees death as the only viable escape.

Context

This verse is situated within Job's intense lament and defense of his integrity, following the initial rounds of debate with his three friends. Having lost his children, possessions, and health, and now facing accusations from those who should offer comfort, Job's despair reaches a climax. His desire for death is not a fleeting thought but a deep, earnest plea, echoing sentiments expressed earlier in Job chapter 3 where he curses the day of his birth. He perceives God as the one who has inflicted his pain and thus the only one who can mercifully bring it to an end.

Key Themes

  • Extreme Despair and Longing for Death: Job's suffering is so immense that he views annihilation as a welcome relief. This highlights the depth of human anguish when confronted with overwhelming pain and loss.
  • Direct Plea to God: Job, despite his turmoil, addresses God directly, acknowledging God's sovereignty and power over life and death. He believes only God can "cut him off." For more on God's ultimate control, see 1 Samuel 2:6.
  • Misunderstanding of God's Actions: In his pain, Job interprets God's actions as a direct intention to destroy him, reflecting a common human struggle to reconcile suffering with God's goodness and power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse convey the intensity of Job's desire:

  • "destroy me" (דכא - daka'): This word implies to crush, break in pieces, or utterly destroy. It's a plea for a complete and decisive end to his existence, not just a cessation of pain.
  • "let loose his hand" (Χ ΧͺΧ¨ - natar): This phrase suggests God is currently restraining His power. Job wishes for God to unleash His full force to swiftly bring about his demise. The imagery of God's "hand" often signifies His power and action, as seen in Psalm 118:15, referring to the right hand of the Lord.
  • "cut me off" (Χ‘Χ¦Χ’ - batsa'): This means to cut off, finish, or bring to an end. It reinforces the desire for a quick, decisive termination of his life, providing a finality to his torment.

Practical Application

Job 6:9 offers a stark portrayal of the depths of human despair. It reminds us that even the righteous can experience profound suffering that leads to a desire for death as an escape. This verse validates the raw, honest expression of pain before God, demonstrating that God can handle our darkest emotions and desperate pleas. For those ministering to others, it underscores the importance of empathy and active listening rather than judgmental advice when someone is in distress. It also points to the ultimate hope found in God's sovereignty, even when His purposes are not immediately clear, as Job's story eventually reveals God's greater plan (Job 42:10).

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 19:4 (7 votes)

    But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I [am] not better than my fathers.

  • Jonah 4:3 (5 votes)

    Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for [it is] better for me to die than to live.

  • Isaiah 48:10 (4 votes)

    Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

  • Isaiah 48:13 (4 votes)

    Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: [when] I call unto them, they stand up together.

  • Job 7:15 (4 votes)

    So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.

  • Job 7:16 (4 votes)

    I loathe [it]; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days [are] vanity.

  • Jonah 4:8 (4 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live.