Job 6:9 - even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

Generated Verse: Job 6:9

What does "Job 6:9" mean?


Job 6:9 is a powerful and desperate expression of Job's suffering. Let's break it down:

"even that it would please God to crush me..." This is the core of the verse. Job is expressing a wish, a desire, even a longing for God to bring about his death. "Crush me" suggests a total and devastating end. He feels so overwhelmed by his pain and misery that he believes death would be a preferable alternative. He's not just asking for relief; he's asking for annihilation, to be completely destroyed.

"...that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!" This reinforces the previous statement. "Let loose his hand" means that God would actively and directly intervene to end his life. "Cut me off" is a graphic image of being severed or completely removed from existence.

In essence, Job is saying: "I wish God would just end it all. I wish He would crush me, release His power, and completely destroy me."

Why would Job say this?

Job is in profound suffering. He has lost his possessions, his children, and now his health. He is covered in painful sores. He feels abandoned and forgotten by God. He is surrounded by friends who, while intending to comfort him, are instead accusing him of hidden sin.

In this context, Job's statement is a cry of despair. He feels that life has become unbearable, and he sees no way out. Death, even at the hand of God, seems like the only possible relief.

Important Considerations:

Hyperbole: It is crucial to understand that Job is likely using hyperbole (exaggeration) to emphasize the depth of his suffering. He is not necessarily literally asking to be destroyed. Rather, he is expressing the immense weight of his despair.

Human Frailty: This verse highlights the human response to overwhelming suffering. Job is not perfect, and he is not always expressing theological correctness. He is a man in intense pain, grappling with profound questions about God's justice and the meaning of suffering.

The Bigger Story: This verse needs to be understood within the context of the entire Book of Job. Job's journey involves wrestling with God, questioning His ways, and ultimately coming to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and wisdom. This specific verse is a low point in that journey, reflecting the depths of his despair before he finds eventual restoration.

In conclusion, Job 6:9 is a powerful expression of intense suffering and a desire for death, highlighting the human struggle to understand God's justice in the face of immense pain. It is a cry of despair from a man pushed to the limits of his endurance.