Job 7:6

Authorized King James Version

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My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Original Language Analysis

יָמַ֣י My days H3117
יָמַ֣י My days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 1 of 7
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
קַ֭לּוּ are swifter H7043
קַ֭לּוּ are swifter
Strong's: H7043
Word #: 2 of 7
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
מִנִּי H4480
מִנִּי
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אָ֑רֶג than a weaver's shuttle H708
אָ֑רֶג than a weaver's shuttle
Strong's: H708
Word #: 4 of 7
a weaving; a braid; also a shuttle
וַ֝יִּכְל֗וּ and are spent H3615
וַ֝יִּכְל֗וּ and are spent
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 5 of 7
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
בְּאֶ֣פֶס without H657
בְּאֶ֣פֶס without
Strong's: H657
Word #: 6 of 7
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
תִּקְוָֽה׃ hope H8615
תִּקְוָֽה׃ hope
Strong's: H8615
Word #: 7 of 7
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy

Analysis & Commentary

Job employs the metaphor of a weaver's shuttle (ereg, אֶרֶג) to describe time's swift passage. The shuttle flies back and forth with remarkable speed, creating fabric in what seems an instant—yet Job's days pass with equal rapidity 'without hope' (ephes tiqvah, אֶפֶס תִּקְוָה). The Hebrew ephes means 'nothingness' or 'cessation,' while tiqvah denotes expectation or confident waiting. Job's days hurtle toward death without any confident expectation of relief or meaning.

This verse articulates profound despair: not merely suffering, but suffering without purpose or anticipated resolution. The Reformed tradition distinguishes between trials that produce proven character (Romans 5:3-4) and Job's unique situation where he lacks understanding of his suffering's purpose. His friends will insist his suffering must indicate sin; God will eventually reveal it serves to vindicate divine confidence in Job's integrity. But in this moment, Job sees only meaningless velocity toward death.

The temporal paradox intensifies suffering: days pass both too slowly (verse 4's sleepless nights) and too swiftly (this verse's racing shuttle). Time's dual nature in suffering—simultaneously dragging and flying—reflects fallen temporality. The metaphor anticipates James 4:14, 'For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.'

Historical Context

Weaving was a common ancient Near Eastern craft using horizontal looms with shuttles passing threads between warp and weft. The shuttle's speed made it a natural metaphor for time's passage (compare Psalm 90:9, 'we spend our years as a tale that is told'). Job's artisan imagery reflects his cultured background.

Questions for Reflection