Job 6:21

"They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded."

Key Reflection

Job's friends arrived with a sense of certainty and confidence in their ability to provide comfort, but when faced with the reality of his suffering, they found themselves speechless and dismayed, realizing that their expectations did not match the situation, leading to both distress and confusion. This moment highlights the gap between human assurance and divine suffering, illustrating how even the most well-intentioned efforts can falter in the face of true pain and sorrow.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

For now ye are as nothing -Margin, “or, Ye are like to it, or them.” In the margin also the word “nothing” is rendered “not.” This variety arises from a difference of reading in the Hebrew text, many MSS. having instead of (לאlô'), not, (לוlô'), to him, or to it. Which is correct, it is not easy to determine. Rosenmuller supposes that it is only a variety in writing the wordלאl', where the waw is often used for .אThe probability is, that it means, that they were as nothing - like the stream that had disappeared. This is the point of the comparison; and this Job now applies to his friends. They had promised much by their coming - like the streams when swollen by rains and melted ice.

More from Job 6

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