Job 6:29
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
Original Language Analysis
וְשֻׁ֥ביּ
Return
H7725
וְשֻׁ֥ביּ
Return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 9
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נָ֭א
H4994
נָ֭א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 9
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
3 of 9
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּהִ֣י
H1961
תְּהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְשֻׁ֥ביּ
Return
H7725
וְשֻׁ֥ביּ
Return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 9
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
ע֝וֹד
H5750
ע֝וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Historical Context
The call to 'return' echoes prophetic language where God calls Israel to repent and return to Him. Job's reversal of this formula—calling his friends to return to truth—would have been theologically shocking. In the ancient context, the sufferer was expected to confess and repent, not to call the prosperous to change their thinking.
Questions for Reflection
- When is it right to insist on our innocence rather than accepting false accusations for the sake of peace?
- How do we distinguish between godly confidence in our standing before God and self-righteous pride?
- What does Job's demand for his friends' repentance teach about holding fellow believers accountable for their counsel?
Analysis & Commentary
Job pleads 'Return' (shub, שׁוּב) twice—a call for repentance or change of direction, ironically reversing the expected relationship where the sinner should repent. Job demands his friends reconsider their position, warning 'let it not be iniquity' (avelah, עַוְלָה)—unrighteousness or injustice. This is bold: Job suggests that continuing their false accusations would itself be sin. The declaration 'my righteousness is in it' (tsedaqah, צְדָקָה) asserts that Job's claim of innocence is itself a matter of righteousness—he has a moral obligation to maintain the truth about his relationship with God. This paradox challenges simplistic retribution theology: sometimes maintaining one's claim of innocence is more righteous than false confession. Reformed theology recognizes that while we are sinners who deserve judgment, there is also a legitimate righteousness that comes through faith and sanctification, which we must not deny to appear humble.