Job 6:2 - Job Replies: My Complaint is Just
New International Version
“If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales!New Living Translation
“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales,English Standard Version
“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!Berean Standard Bible
“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.King James Bible
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!New King James Version
“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales!New American Standard Bible
“Oh if only my grief were actually weighed And laid in the balances together with my disaster!NASB 1995
“Oh that my grief were actually weighed And laid in the balances together with my calamity!NASB 1977
“Oh that my vexation were actually weighed, And laid in the balances together with my iniquity!Legacy Standard Bible
“Oh that my vexation were actually weighed And laid in the balances together with my destruction!Amplified Bible
“Oh, that my grief could actually be weighed And placed in the balances together with my tragedy [to see if my grief is the grief of a coward]!Christian Standard Bible
If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it on the scales.Holman Christian Standard Bible
If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it in the scales. American Standard Version
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!Contemporary English Version
It's impossible to weigh my misery and grief! English Revised Version
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!GOD'S WORD® Translation
"If only my grief could be weighed, if only my misery could be laid on the scales with it,International Standard Version
"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale!Majority Standard Bible
?If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.NET Bible
"Oh, if only my grief could be weighed, and my misfortune laid on the scales too! New Heart English Bible
"Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances.Webster's Bible Translation
Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!World English Bible
“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“O that my provocation were thoroughly weighed, "" And my calamity in balances "" They would lift up together!Young's Literal Translation
O that my provocation were thoroughly weighed, And my calamity in balances They would lift up together!Smith's Literal Translation
I would weighing, my anger shall be weighed, and my falls shall be lifted up in the balances together.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance. Catholic Public Domain Version
I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.New American Bible
Ah, could my anguish but be measured and my calamity laid with it in the scales, New Revised Standard Version
“O that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Oh that my grief were weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances against it!Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Oh, but that my anger were weighed and a piece of my mind in a scale together
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And my calamity laid in the balances altogether!Brenton Septuagint Translation
Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!Additional Translations ...
If only my grief could be weighed
Job expresses a deep desire for his suffering to be understood and quantified. In the ancient Near Eastern context, weighing was a common method to determine value and worth, often used in trade and justice. Job's grief is immense, and he wishes it could be measured to convey its true magnitude. This reflects the human longing for empathy and validation in suffering. The concept of weighing is also seen in Proverbs 16:2, where God weighs the spirits, indicating divine understanding and judgment.
and placed with my calamity on the scales.
The imagery of scales suggests a legal or judicial setting, where matters are weighed to determine justice. Job's calamity, which includes loss of wealth, family, and health, is overwhelming. In the cultural context, suffering was often seen as a result of sin, yet Job maintains his innocence. This plea for his suffering to be weighed alongside his calamity underscores his belief in his righteousness and the injustice of his situation. The scales also symbolize balance and fairness, themes echoed in the divine justice seen in passages like Isaiah 40:12, where God measures the waters and the heavens, highlighting His omniscience and fairness.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and perseverance.
2. Uz
The land where Job lived. It is often associated with the region east of Israel, though its exact location is uncertain.
3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who come to comfort Job but end up engaging in a series of dialogues with him, often misunderstanding his plight.
4. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing and ultimately restores him.
5. Satan
The adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faithfulness is due to his prosperity.
Teaching Points
Understanding Suffering
Job's expression of wanting his grief weighed highlights the depth of human suffering. Believers are reminded that God understands the weight of our trials even when others do not.
The Importance of Lament
Job's lamentation is a model for believers to bring their deepest pains and questions before God. It is a reminder that lament is a valid and biblical response to suffering.
Empathy in Friendship
Job's friends initially come to comfort him but fail to empathize with his pain. This teaches the importance of truly listening and being present with those who suffer, rather than offering simplistic answers.
God's Sovereignty and Compassion
While Job's suffering is immense, the account ultimately points to God's sovereign control and compassionate restoration. Believers can trust in God's ultimate plan and care.
Faith Amidst Trials
Job's account encourages believers to maintain their faith even when circumstances are dire, trusting that God is just and will ultimately vindicate the righteous.Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
“If only
ל֗וּ (lū)
Preposition
Strong's 3863: If, would that!
my grief
כַּעְשִׂ֑י (ka‘·śî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3708: Vexation, anger
could be weighed
שָׁק֣וֹל (šā·qō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise
and
והיתי (wə·hay·yā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew
placed
יִשְׂאוּ־ (yiś·’ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take
with
יָֽחַד׃ (yā·ḥaḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly
my calamity
וְ֝הַוָּתִ֗י (wə·haw·wā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1962: Calamity
on the scales.
בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם (bə·mō·zə·na·yim)
Preposition-b | Noun - md
Strong's 3976: A pair of scales
Links
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Job 6:2 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Job 6:2 Oh that my anguish were weighed (Jb)