Job 6:18 is part of a longer passage where Job is lamenting his situation and criticizing the unreliability of his friends. To understand the verse, we need to consider the context. He's comparing his friends to wadis, or seasonal streams in the desert. Here's a breakdown:
The overall analogy: Job is comparing his friends to these wadis that swell with water after winter snows, but dry up in the summer heat when people really need them. He's saying they seemed helpful and supportive earlier, but now that he's in deep suffering, they've abandoned him.
"The caravans that travel beside them": This refers to caravans who rely on these wadis as a source of water and sustenance for their long journeys through the desert. They follow alongside these waterways, anticipating their need being met.
"Turn away": This is the key action. The caravans abandon the wadis. Why? Because the wadis have dried up. They offer no help. The hope they promised has vanished.
"They go up into the waste, and perish.": This is the tragic consequence. Because the caravans trusted in the wadis and relied on them for water, when the wadis failed, the caravans were forced to travel deeper into the barren wasteland ("the waste"). Without water, they ultimately die ("perish").
Therefore, the verse means:
The caravans, trusting that the wadis would provide water, follow along with them. However, when the wadis dry up and prove to be unreliable, the caravans are forced to leave and venture into the desolate desert, where they eventually die of thirst and exhaustion.
The metaphorical application to Job's situation:
Job is saying that those who relied on his friends for comfort and support in his time of need are being led to ruin. Just as the caravans perish because the wadis failed, Job believes that those who trusted in his friends are now being led astray and will be ultimately disappointed, perhaps even harmed, by their unreliable support.
In short, it's a powerful image of failed expectations and the devastating consequences of misplaced trust. Job feels betrayed by his friends and believes their lack of genuine compassion is leading others astray, just as a dried-up wadi leads a caravan to its doom.
Job 6:18 is part of a longer passage where Job is lamenting his situation and criticizing the unreliability of his friends. To understand the verse, we need to consider the context. He's comparing his friends to wadis, or seasonal streams in the desert. Here's a breakdown:
The overall analogy: Job is comparing his friends to these wadis that swell with water after winter snows, but dry up in the summer heat when people really need them. He's saying they seemed helpful and supportive earlier, but now that he's in deep suffering, they've abandoned him.
"The caravans that travel beside them": This refers to caravans who rely on these wadis as a source of water and sustenance for their long journeys through the desert. They follow alongside these waterways, anticipating their need being met.
"Turn away": This is the key action. The caravans abandon the wadis. Why? Because the wadis have dried up. They offer no help. The hope they promised has vanished.
"They go up into the waste, and perish.": This is the tragic consequence. Because the caravans trusted in the wadis and relied on them for water, when the wadis failed, the caravans were forced to travel deeper into the barren wasteland ("the waste"). Without water, they ultimately die ("perish").
Therefore, the verse means:
The caravans, trusting that the wadis would provide water, follow along with them. However, when the wadis dry up and prove to be unreliable, the caravans are forced to leave and venture into the desolate desert, where they eventually die of thirst and exhaustion.
The metaphorical application to Job's situation:
Job is saying that those who relied on his friends for comfort and support in his time of need are being led to ruin. Just as the caravans perish because the wadis failed, Job believes that those who trusted in his friends are now being led astray and will be ultimately disappointed, perhaps even harmed, by their unreliable support.
In short, it's a powerful image of failed expectations and the devastating consequences of misplaced trust. Job feels betrayed by his friends and believes their lack of genuine compassion is leading others astray, just as a dried-up wadi leads a caravan to its doom.