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Job 6 · a question people ask

Job says his words have been rash (6:3). Is the book saying he spoke wrongly?

In the text

"Rash" is Job's own word about his words, and he gives its reason in the same verse: "For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash" (6:3). Beyond its heading, "Then Job answered" (6:1), the book adds nothing in its own voice in this chapter. Earlier it said, "In all this, Job didn’t sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing" (1:22), and "In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips" (2:10); neither verse speaks of chapter 6. Later the LORD asks, "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" (38:2); Job answers, "therefore I have uttered that which I didn’t understand" (42:3); and the LORD says to Eliphaz, "you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has" (42:7). The book doesn't say which of Job's words any of these has in view, and it doesn't explain how they fit together. This study quotes them as they stand.

The verses

“For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.”
Job 6:3 · World English Bible
“In all this, Job didn’t sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing.”
Job 1:22 · World English Bible
“But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips.”
Job 2:10 · World English Bible
““Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”
Job 38:2 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 6

Job 6: Kindness from his friend

Job never asked his friends for a present or to be redeemed (6:22-23). He says chesed, kindness, should be shown from a friend to one who is, in a Hebrew word found only here in the Hebrew Bible, ready to faint (6:14), and he asks, "Teach me, and I will hold my peace" (6:24).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions