Job 6:22
Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
Original Language Analysis
הֲֽכִי
H3588
הֲֽכִי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָ֣בוּ
Bring
H3051
הָ֣בוּ
Bring
Strong's:
H3051
Word #:
3 of 7
to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come
וּ֝מִכֹּֽחֲכֶ֗ם
for me of your substance
H3581
וּ֝מִכֹּֽחֲכֶ֗ם
for me of your substance
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
5 of 7
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
Historical Context
Wealthy friends were expected to help poorer friends financially in ancient Near Eastern culture. Job's point is that he didn't even ask for this kind of help—he only wanted emotional and spiritual support, which costs nothing materially.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern between material needs and deeper spiritual/relational needs in suffering people?
- What does Job's distinction teach us about what suffering people most need from friends?
Analysis & Commentary
Job asks: 'Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?' The rhetorical questions point out that Job never asked for material help—he only wanted comfort. The Hebrew 'yahab' (bring/give) and 'shachad' (reward/bribe) emphasize that Job made no financial demands. His complaint isn't that friends didn't provide money but that they didn't provide comfort. This distinguishes between material and spiritual needs—Job's poverty was circumstantial, but his friends' failure to comfort was relational betrayal.