Job 6:7
Job 6:7 in Multiple Translations
My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
My soul refuseth to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.
My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
I just can't touch any food—even the thought makes me feel sick!
Such things as my soule refused to touch, as were sorowes, are my meate.
My soul is refusing to touch! They [are] as my sickening food.
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful food.
The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.
Just like I do not want to eat food like that, and I loathe/detests that kind of food [MET], I do not appreciate what you have said to me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 6:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 6:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מֵאֲנָ֣ה
לִ/נְגּ֣וֹעַ
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
הֵ֝֗מָּה
כִּ/דְוֵ֥י
לַחְמִֽ/י
מֵאֲנָ֣ה
mâʼên
H3985
to refuse
V-Piel-Perf-3fs
לִ/נְגּ֣וֹעַ
nâgaʻ
H5060
to touch
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
הֵ֝֗מָּה
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
כִּ/דְוֵ֥י
dᵉvay
H1741
illness
Prep | N-ms
לַחְמִֽ/י
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 6:7
מֵאֲנָ֣ה
mâʼên
H3985
"to refuse"
V-Piel-Perf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say no or reject something. It is used in Exodus 23:5 to describe refusing to help someone in need. God commands people to not refuse help.
Definition: (Piel) to refuse
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: refuse, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 37:35; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 77:3.
לִ/נְגּ֣וֹעַ
nâgaʻ
H5060
"to touch"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to touch or reach something, and can also mean to strike or defeat someone. It is used in Exodus to describe God's power and in Psalms to describe human emotions. The word has various translations, including beat, bring, and plague.
Definition: 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. See also: Genesis 3:3; 2 Chronicles 3:12; Psalms 32:6.
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
הֵ֝֗מָּה
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
כִּ/דְוֵ֥י
dᵉvay
H1741
"illness"
Prep | N-ms
Illness or sickness is the meaning of this word, which can also describe a feeling of loathing or languishing. It is used in the Bible to describe physical or emotional suffering. The KJV translates it as languishing or sorrowful.
Definition: illness, languishing
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: languishing, sorrowful. See also: Job 6:7; Psalms 41:4.
לַחְמִֽ/י
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
Study Notes — Job 6:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 6:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 6:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 6:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 6:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 6:7
- Cambridge Bible on Job 6:7
- Barnes' Notes on Job 6:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 6:7
- Sermons on Job 6:7
Context — Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just
5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg ?
7My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope: 9that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 3:24 | I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 4:16 | Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. |
| 3 | Daniel 10:3 | I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 17:12 | But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” |
| 5 | Ezekiel 12:18–19 | “Son of man, eat your bread with trembling, and drink your water with quivering and anxiety. Then tell the people of the land that this is what the Lord GOD says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: ‘They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water in dread, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who dwell in it. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 22:27 | and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’” |
| 7 | Ezekiel 4:14 | “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.” |
| 8 | Psalms 102:9 | For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears |
Job 6:7 Summary
In this verse, Job is saying that the things his friends are offering him as comfort are not helping - they're actually making him feel worse. He's feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, like he's being offered food that's disgusting to him. This verse helps us understand that it's okay to feel sad and frustrated, and that we can be honest with God about how we're feeling, just like the Psalmist in Psalms 13:1-2, who cries out to God in his distress. By being honest with God, we can begin to find comfort and peace, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, as promised in Matthew 11:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Job mean by 'loathsome food' in this verse?
Job is expressing his deep emotional and spiritual distress, feeling that the comfort offered by his friends is as unappetizing as tasteless or rotten food, much like the Psalmist's cry in Psalms 42:3, where he longs for spiritual nourishment.
How can we relate to Job's feeling of refusal to accept certain things in life?
We can understand Job's sentiment by considering times when we've faced hardships or difficulties, and the thought of continuing on seemed unbearable, similar to the feelings expressed in Lamentations 3:17, where the prophet feels hopeless.
Is Job being ungrateful or rebellious towards God in this verse?
Job is not being ungrateful, but rather, he is honestly expressing his emotional pain and frustration, which is a common theme throughout the Book of Job, as seen in Job 10:1, where he declares his desire to argue his case before God.
What can we learn from Job's raw emotional expression in this verse?
We can learn that it's okay to be honest with God about our feelings and emotions, just as the Psalmist does in Psalms 102:1, where he pours out his heart to God in a time of distress.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'loathsome foods' in my life that I'm struggling to accept or come to terms with, and how can I bring them before God in prayer?
- In what ways can I, like Job, be honest with God about my emotions and frustrations, even when it's hard to understand what's happening in my life?
- How can I balance my desire for comfort and relief with the reality of my circumstances, trusting that God is sovereign and good, as declared in Romans 8:28?
- What does this verse reveal about the human experience of suffering, and how can I use this understanding to minister to others who are hurting?
Gill's Exposition on Job 6:7
The things [that] my soul refused to touch [are] as my sorrowful meat.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 6:7
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. To touch is contrasted with meat.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 6:7
Heb. As the sicknesses or sorrows of my meat, i.e. as my sorrowful meat, which I am constrained to eat with grief of heart. The particle as, either, 1. Notes not the similitude, but the truth of the thing, as it is oft used, as hath been formerly noted and proved. So the sense is, that such meat as formerly he should have abhorred to touch, either for the quality of it, or for his tears or ulcerous matter which mixed themselves with it, he was now forced by the necessities of nature, and his own poverty, to eat. Or, 2. Implies that the following words are not to be understood properly, but metaphorically. And so the sense may be this, Those grievous afflictions, which according to the principles and common inclinations of human nature I dreaded the very touch and thought of, they are now my daily, though sorrowful, bread; I am forced constantly to feed upon them; as other persons in great afflictions are said to be fed with bread of tears, , and to eat ashes like bread, . Others make this a censure of Eliphaz’ s words, as ungrateful and loathsome to him. But that sense seems neither to agree with the words of this verse, nor with its scope and coherence with the former, of which See Poole "".
Trapp's Commentary on Job 6:7
Job 6:7 The things [that] my soul refused to touch [are] as my sorrowful meat.Ver. 7. The things that my soul refused to touch, &c.] I suffer such torments even in my very soul, as the very thought of them would heretofore have frightened me. Thus Mr Diodati. Others take soul here for the appetite, and so make this the sense: Those things which I exceedingly loathed, and would once have thought scorn to have touched, are now my sorrowful meat; I am forced with a heavy heart to feed upon them for want of better; and they go down the worse because you vex me with your hard words (who have little need of such choke pears), and will not allow me the liberty of a needful lamentation, which yet I must needs take (lest heart should break), and say, as before, Job 3:1-26, though with some more respect to God, the object of my present prayer:
Cambridge Bible on Job 6:7
7. This verse may be rendered not quite literally, My soul refuseth to touch them! Such things are like loathsome food to me. Literally, like my corrupted, or, diseased food. Job does not name his afflictions but refers to them indirectly as “they” and “such things.” He compared his sufferings to food in ch. Job 3:24.
Barnes' Notes on Job 6:7
The things that my soul refused to touch - That I refused to touch - the word “soul” here being used to denote himself.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 6:7
7. The things that my soul refused — The verse reads literally, My soul refuses to touch! They are as tainted food to me. Thus most of the recent commentators.
Sermons on Job 6:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Philippians 2:12-16 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of working out one's salvation with fear and trembling, emphasizing the need for personal responsibility and diligence in following Go |
|
(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 1-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher describes a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had of four living creatures. These creatures had the appearance of a man but each had four faces and four |
|
When Corruption Turns to Revelation by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being honest with ourselves and recognizing the presence of pride in our hearts. He refers to the story of Nebuchadnezzar a |
|
The Stewardship of Fasting by J.G. Morrison | J.G. Morrison preaches on the importance of fasting as a duty bestowed upon us by God, highlighting how sincere fasting enables God to do what He otherwise cannot do for us persona |
|
Supplement to Tract Xviii; on the Benefits of the System of Fasting Prescribed by Our Church by J.H. Newman | J.H. Newman preaches on the importance of fasting in the Christian life, addressing various questions and misconceptions surrounding the practice. He emphasizes the significance of |
|
Dying to Self (Part 1 of 2) by Keith Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of committing everything to God. He references Luke 12:35-36, where Jesus instructs his followers to be ready and alert for t |
|
Life of Elijah - Part 2 by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher uses the story of Elijah and the widow in 1 Kings 17 to illustrate the provision of God in times of extreme poverty. The preacher emphasizes the role o |