Job 6:2

Authorized King James Version

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Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

Original Language Analysis

ל֗וּ Oh that H3863
ל֗וּ Oh that
Strong's: H3863
Word #: 1 of 8
a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!
יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל weighed H8254
יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל weighed
Strong's: H8254
Word #: 2 of 8
to suspend or poise (especially in trade)
יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל weighed H8254
יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל weighed
Strong's: H8254
Word #: 3 of 8
to suspend or poise (especially in trade)
כַּעְשִׂ֑י my grief H3708
כַּעְשִׂ֑י my grief
Strong's: H3708
Word #: 4 of 8
vexation
וְ֝הַיָּתִ֗י and my calamity H1942
וְ֝הַיָּתִ֗י and my calamity
Strong's: H1942
Word #: 5 of 8
by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin
בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם in the balances H3976
בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם in the balances
Strong's: H3976
Word #: 6 of 8
(only in the dual) a pair of scales
יִשְׂאוּ laid H5375
יִשְׂאוּ laid
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 7 of 8
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
יָֽחַד׃ together H3162
יָֽחַד׃ together
Strong's: H3162
Word #: 8 of 8
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

Analysis & Commentary

Job wishes his grief could be 'thoroughly weighed' and his calamity 'laid in the balances together,' using legal/commercial imagery. This appeal to objective measurement reveals Job's conviction that his suffering is disproportionate to any possible sin. The metaphor anticipates divine justice weighing all things fairly.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern justice used balanced scales as symbols of fairness. Job appeals to this universal standard, confident his suffering outweighs any transgression.

Questions for Reflection