Job 6:11
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
כֹּחִ֥י
What is my strength
H3581
כֹּחִ֥י
What is my strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
2 of 9
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
כִֽי
H3588
כִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲיַחֵ֑ל
that I should hope
H3176
אֲיַחֵ֑ל
that I should hope
Strong's:
H3176
Word #:
4 of 9
to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope
וּמַה
H4100
וּמַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
קִּ֝צִּ֗י
and what is mine end
H7093
קִּ֝צִּ֗י
and what is mine end
Strong's:
H7093
Word #:
6 of 9
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 102:23He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.Psalms 39:5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.Job 17:1My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
Historical Context
Hope in ancient Near Eastern thought required either present resources (strength) or future prospects (favorable end). Job's claim to have neither makes his hopelessness humanly logical, though God will later provide hope beyond human logic.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain hope when you see no basis for it in your circumstances or strength?
- What does Job's honest questioning teach us about how to wrestle with despair faithfully?
Analysis & Commentary
Job asks: 'What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?' The rhetorical questions challenge Eliphaz's advice to hope for restoration. Job's 'strength' (Hebrew 'koach'—power/capacity) is exhausted; his 'end' (Hebrew 'qets'—conclusion/limit) offers nothing to anticipate. Job argues that hope requires some basis—either strength to endure or a desirable outcome ahead. Seeing neither, he questions why he should continue. This is honest wrestling with despair, not sinful denial of God.