Job 6:14 — Word Study
WLCלַמָּ֣ס מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ חָ֑סֶד וְיִרְאַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יַעֲזֽוֹב׃
BSAA despairing manmâç△ [ready to faint, deeply troubled] [should have] the kindnesschêçêd [mercy, pity, loving actions] of his friendrêaʻ [neighbor, companion] even if he forsakesʻâzab▸ [abandons, loosens] the fearyirʼâh [reverence, respect] of the AlmightyShadday [Shadday, all-powerful God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לַמָּ֣ס | [belongs] to despairing [person] | Preposition, noun common both singular absolute |
| מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ | from friend his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| חָ֑סֶד | loyalty | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְיִרְאַ֖ת | and [the] fear of | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| שַׁדַּ֣י | [the] Almighty | Noun proper |
| יַעֲזֽוֹב׃ | he will forsake | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
| KJV | To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. |
| ASV | To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. |
| YLT | To a despiser of his friends [is] shame, And the fear of the Mighty he forsaketh. |
| WEB | “To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
| BBE | He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all. |
Where they part company is חֶסֶד — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause presents the need for kindness, with a subordinate clause indicating a condition regarding reverence for God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectוְ
verbH5800
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 6:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Lamentgenerated
Job 6:14 expresses Job's deep need for compassion from his friends during his suffering. He acknowledges that a despairing person should receive kindness, even if they abandon their reverence for God. This highlights the importance of human connection in times of distress, as Job feels isolated and in pain. The surrounding verses illustrate Job's sense of betrayal and the lack of support from those he once trusted.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 4:3–4 | Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands. |
| 2 | Job 16:5 | But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief. |
| 3 | Job 19:21 | Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. |
| 4 | Proverbs 17:17 | A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. |
| 5 | Romans 12:15 | Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מָס, la.Masgenerated
The word מָס (mas) is an adjective meaning 'despairing' or 'fainting', derived from a root associated with collapsing or failing. It describes a state of deep emotional distress, often in response to overwhelming circumstances, as seen in Job's plight.
This term emphasizes the gravity of Job's situation, indicating that he is not merely sad but is in a state of despair, ready to faint under the weight of his suffering.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יַעֲזֽוֹב (ya'azov), meaning 'he will forsake', governs the structure of the verse. It is preceded by a noun phrase describing the subject's emotional state and a prepositional phrase indicating the source of kindness.
The sentence structure emphasizes the condition of despair and the need for kindness, creating a poignant contrast between human relationships and divine reverence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
מָס is rendered as ἀπείπατό in the Septuagint, which conveys a sense of abandonment or despair. This choice narrows the focus on emotional distress, aligning with Job's lament.
The Septuagint's translation choices reflect an interpretation that emphasizes the relational aspects of despair, highlighting the importance of companionship in times of trouble.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 6:14 tells us that a person who is in despair needs kindness from friends, even if they abandon their reverence for God. Job expresses his need for support during his suffering, highlighting the importance of friendship in difficult times.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job refers to someone who is deeply troubled and feels overwhelmed by their circumstances, indicating a state of emotional distress.
Job emphasizes that kindness from friends is crucial during times of despair, as it provides emotional support and companionship.
Job suggests that even in moments of despair, a person may loosen their reverence for God, yet still, the need for human kindness remains.
Job's lament highlights that true friendship involves offering compassion and support, especially when someone is suffering.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced the kindness of friends during difficult times?
- How can I be a source of kindness to those who are despairing around me?
- What does it mean to me to balance reverence for God with the need for human connection?
- How can I support someone who is struggling, as Job expresses in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist references this verse to discuss the nature of friendship and its relation to reverence for God.
Whoso taketh away pity from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord. Who else is here denoted by the name of a friend, saving every neighbour, who is united to us in a faithful attachment in proportion as,Early Church Fathers on Job 6 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 6:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo him that is afflicted pity [should be showed] from his friend,.... An "afflicted" man is an object of pity, one that is afflicted of God; either inwardly with a wounded spirit, with a sense of
Read John Gill on Job 6 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTo him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. Pity - a proverb [ checed (H2617)].
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 6 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTo him that is afflicted, Heb. to him that is melted or dissolved with afflictions, or in the furnace of afflictions; that is, in extreme miseries; for such persons are said to be melted, as 107:26 119:28 . From his friend: his friend, such as thou, O Eliphaz, pretendest to be to me, should show kindness, benignity, and compassion in his judgment of him, and carriage towards him, and not pass such unmerciful and heavy censures upon him, nor load him with reproaches. But he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty; but thou hast no love or pity for thy neighbour and friend; which is a plain evidence that thou art guilty of that which thou didst charge me with, even with the want of the fear of…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 6 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 6:14 To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.Ver. 14. To him that is afflicted] Heb. melted, viz. in the furnace of affliction, which melteth men’ s hearts, and maketh them malleable, as fire doth the hardest metals, Psalms 22:15 Joshua 7:5. Pity should be shewed from his friend] By a sweet tender melting frame of spirit, such as was that of the Church, Psalms 102:13, and that of Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:29, "Who is weak, and I am not weak?" sc. by way of sympathy; "who is offended, and I burn not?" when others are hurt, I feel twinges: as the tongue complaineth for the hurt of the toe, and as the heart condoleth with the…
Read John Trapp on Job 6 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(14) But he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.—It is difficult to determine the precise relation of dependent clauses in an archaic language like the Hebrew; but the Authorised Version is, at all events, not correct here, the sense rather being, “Even to one that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty;” or, perhaps, better still, “lest he should forsake;” or, “he may even forsake,” &c.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 6 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 14. To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.] The Vulgate gives a better sense, Qui tollit ab amico suo misericordiam, timorem Domini dereliquit, "He who takes away mercy from his friend, hath cast off the fear of the Lord." The word למס lammas, which we render to him who is AFFLICTED, from מסה masah, to dissolve, or waste away, is in thirty-two of Dr. Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. למאס lemoes, "to him that despiseth his friend;" and hence the passage may be read: To him who despiseth his friend, it is a reproach; and he will forsake the fear of the Almighty: or, as Mr. Good translates, "Shame to the man who despiseth…
Read AdamClarke on Job 6 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14–30. Job’s sorrowful disappointment at the position taken up towards him by his three friends Job had freely expressed his misery in ch. 3, believing that the sympathies of his friends were entirely with him. He is a brother noble, Whose nature is so far from doing harms That he suspects none. Lear, i. 2. And more sorrowful to him than any cold, critical words which they have uttered is the feeling that his friends have taken up such a position against him. This was what he had not looked for. And his disappointment is like that of the thirsty caravan that finds the long-looked-for waters dried up in the heat. Every emotion seems now to find a place in Job’s mind in succession. First, his…
Read Cambridge on Job 6 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTo him that is afflicted - Margin, “melteth.” The word here used (מס mâs) is from מסס mâsas, to melt, flow down, waste away, and here means one who pines away, or is consumed under calamities.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 6 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
“To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Tyndale line
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
To him that is ready to faint kindness should be shewed from his friend; even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
To him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
He that is in miserie, ought to be comforted of his neighbour: but men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie.
Strictly literal
For him that is fainting kindness [is meet] from his friend; or he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
To a despiser of his friends [is] shame, And the fear of the Mighty he forsaketh.
To a despiser of his friends [is] shame, || And the fear of the Mighty he forsakes.
As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
From the Latin
He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
Simplified
Anyone who isn't kind to a friend has given up respecting the Almighty.
He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: לַמָּ֣ס מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ חָ֑סֶד וְיִרְאַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יַעֲזֽוֹב׃. The Septuagint matches five of the six words, indicating a strong agreement in the core message, though the word order differs.
לַמָּ֣ס מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ חָ֑סֶד וְיִרְאַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יַעֲזֽוֹב׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 6:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מָס (mas) is an adjective meaning 'despairing' or 'fainting,' derived from the root associated with collapsing or failing. It is used in contexts of emotional distress, as noted in Job 6:14. The entries consistently emphasize its figurative sense of disconsolation.
[מָס] adj. despairing (lit. melting, i.e. failing, collapsing);—Jb 6:14
ref
H4523 מָס
4523 mac mawce
from 4549; fainting, i.e. (figuratively) disconsolate:--is
afflicted.
see HEBREW for 04549
מָס (mas) — despairing.
despairing
Prep | Adj — Preposition · noun common both singular absoluteHRd/Ncbsa
רֵעַ (rea`) refers to a friend, companion, or fellow, emphasizing close associations such as brotherhood or intimacy. It can also denote a neighbor or another person in a broader sense. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to associate.'
רֵעַ 187 n.m. friend, companion, fellow
base
H7453 רֵעַ friend, companion, fellow
7453 rea` ray'-ah
or reya2 {ray'-ah}; from 7462; an associate (more or less
close):--brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover,
neighbour, X (an-)other.
see HEBREW for 0reya2
see HEBREW for 07462
רֵעַ (re.a) — neighbor.
1) friend, companion, fellow, another person
1a) friend, intimate
1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense)
1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
יִרְאָה (yir'ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' encompassing both the emotion and the concept of reverence, particularly in relation to God. It can denote an object that causes fear or the respect and piety associated with divine authority. The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions without significant disagreement.
יִרְאָה n.f. fear
fear, terror
a terror = obj. of terror
fear of God, reverence, piety
the fear of י׳ the law as revered.
base
H3374 יִרְאָה fear
3374 yir'ah yir-aw'
feminine of 3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally,
reverence:--X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear(-fulness).
see HEBREW for 03373
יִרְאָה (yir.ah) — fear.
1) fear, terror, fearing
1a) fear, terror
1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
1d) revered
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructHC/Ncfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שַׁדַּי (Shadday) is a Hebrew word meaning 'Almighty' and is often used to refer to God. It is derived from a root that suggests self-sufficiency. The entries indicate that this term emphasizes God's power and might, and it is recognized as another name for the LORD (יהוה).
שַׁדַּי 48 n.m.dei (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)
base
H7706 שַׁדַּי (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)
7706 Shadday shad-dah'-ee
from 7703; the Almighty:--Almighty.
see HEBREW for 07703
שַׁדַּי (shad.day) — Almighty.
Shaddai, the Almighty (God)
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
This name means almighty, most powerful
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
ol-mit'-i:
(1) (shaddai (Ge 17:1)): Found in the Old Testament forty-eight times, most of these in the Book of Job; it occurs either alone or in combination with 'el, "God"). The root meaning is uncertain.
(2) (pantokrator), the exclusive translation of this Greek word in the New Testament, found principally in Re (nine times), once besides (2Co 6:18). Its occurrence in the Apocrypha is frequent. See GOD, NAMES OF.
עָזַב (azab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to leave, forsake, or let loose. It encompasses a range of actions from abandoning or neglecting to setting free. The entries suggest it can also imply restoration or repair, though this aspect is less emphasized. Notably, the term can describe both active and passive states, such as being forsaken or deserted.
עָזַב 213 vb. leave, forsake, loose
Qal
leave, c. acc.
leave, abandon, forsake
let loose, set free, let go
Niph.
be left to
be forsaken, of house of God
H5800a עָזַב leave, forsake, loose .. leave, c. acc.
. leave, abandon, forsake
. let loose, set free, let go
. . be left to
. be forsaken, of house of God
. (or Qal pass.) be deserted, of city
H5800b עָזַב restore, repair(?)
5800 `azab aw-zab'
a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit,
etc.:--commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave
(destitute, off), refuse, X surely.
עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: forsake.
1) to leave, loose, forsake
1a) (Qal) to leave
1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone
1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise
1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be left to
1b2) to be forsaken
1c) (Pual) to be deserted
עָזַב (a.zav) — to restore.
1) to restore, repair
1a) (Qal) to repair
עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: release.
1) to leave, loose, forsake
1a) (Qal) to leave
1a1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone
1a2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise
1a3) to let loose, set free, let go, free
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be left to
1b2) to be forsaken
1c) (Pual) to be deserted
עָזַב (a.zav) — Forsaken.
This name means to restore, repair
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
עָזַב (a.zav) — to leave: neglect.
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms