Job 6:8
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 7
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִתֵּ֥ן
would grant
H5414
יִתֵּ֥ן
would grant
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
תָּב֣וֹא
Oh that I might have
H935
תָּב֣וֹא
Oh that I might have
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 7
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י
me the thing that I long for
H8615
וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י
me the thing that I long for
Strong's:
H8615
Word #:
5 of 7
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
Historical Context
Direct appeals to deity for specific requests appear throughout ancient Near Eastern prayer literature. Job's request follows conventional prayer patterns but with the unusual content of asking for death.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you pray honestly about your darkest desires while maintaining submission to God's will?
- What does Job's willingness to ask God for death teach us about prayer's proper boundaries?
Analysis & Commentary
Job wishes for death: 'Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!' The Hebrew 'she'elah' (request) and 'tiqvah' (hope/expectation) reveal Job's deepest desire—that God would grant his wish. The next verse clarifies this wish is for death. Job appeals directly to God rather than to the 'saints' Eliphaz mockingly suggested (5:1). This models appropriate prayer even in despair—bringing honest desires to God while ultimately submitting to His will.