King James Version

What Does Job 16:6 Mean?

Job 16:6 in the King James Version says “Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? what: Heb. what goeth from me?” — study this verse from Job chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? what: Heb. what goeth from me?”

Job 16:6 · KJV

Context

4

I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

5

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

6

Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? what: Heb. what goeth from me?

7

But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

8

And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

Read Job 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged (אִם־אֲדַבְּרָה לֹא־יֵחָשֵׂךְ כְּאֵבִי, im-adabberah lo-yechasekh ke'evi)—The verb חָשַׂךְ (chasakh) means 'to withhold, restrain, hold back.' Job's כְּאֵב (ke'ev, pain/grief) remains uncontainable regardless of speech.

And though I forbear, what am I eased? (וְאַחְדְּלָה מַה־מִמֶּנִּי יַהֲלֹךְ, ve'achdela mah-mimmenni yahalokh)—Whether Job speaks or remains silent, his suffering continues unabated. The verb הָלַךְ (halakh, 'to go, depart') governs his pain—it won't 'leave.' This captures the inescapable totality of extreme suffering: neither expression nor suppression provides relief. Job's friends assume speech itself causes his problem; Job knows the problem transcends language.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern lament literature often explored whether voicing grief helped or hindered healing. The Mesopotamian 'Ludlul Bel Nemeqi' ('I Will Praise the Lord of Wisdom') similarly depicts a sufferer whose complaints bring no relief. Job adds the opposite: silence helps no more than speech.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced suffering so total that neither expressing it nor suppressing it brought relief?
  2. How does Job's experience challenge the modern therapeutic assumption that 'talking about it' always helps?
  3. What does it mean to faithfully endure when neither action nor inaction alleviates pain?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
אִֽם1 of 9
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֲ֭דַבְּרָה2 of 9

“Though I speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לֹא3 of 9
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵחָשֵׂ֣ךְ4 of 9

“is not asswaged”

H2820

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

כְּאֵבִ֑י5 of 9

“my grief”

H3511

suffering (physical or mental), adversity

וְ֝אַחְדְּלָ֗ה6 of 9

“and though I forbear”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

מַה7 of 9
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

מִנִּ֥י8 of 9
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

יַהֲלֹֽךְ׃9 of 9

“what am I eased”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 16:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 16:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 10:1Psalms 88:15-18Psalms 77:1-9

Test Your Knowledge

Job 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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