Job 6:20 (KJV)

What does Job 6:20 mean?

Job 6:20 describes people who are left disappointed and embarrassed because they had placed their hope in something, but when they arrived expecting help or relief, they found nothing and felt ashamed. The verse uses the image of people who come looking for water but are let down, highlighting the pain of unmet expectations.

In this part of the book of Job, Job is speaking to his friends, explaining how those who trust in something that fails them end up feeling confused and let down. Job compares his own experience to travelers who hope to find water in a stream, only to discover it has dried up, leaving them ashamed for having hoped in vain.

The Hebrew behind Job 6:20

• "confounded" (בּוֹשׁ, bosh): This word often means to be put to shame or to feel deeply disappointed. Here, it emphasizes the emotional letdown of those who had strong expectations.
• "hoped" (בָּטַח, batach): This word carries the sense of confident trust or reliance. The verse highlights how deeply these people relied on what ultimately failed them.
• "ashamed" (חָפֵר, chaphar): This word can mean to be humiliated or to feel disgraced. The verse shows that the disappointment was not just internal but also brought a sense of public embarrassment.

Why Job 6:20 matters

• Job 6:20 clarifies that Job is not just expressing personal pain, but also teaching about the universal feeling of disappointment when trust is misplaced.
• The verse helps explain Job’s frustration with his friends, who he feels have let him down much like the dried-up stream fails the thirsty traveler.
• Understanding the emotional weight of the original Hebrew words deepens the sense of loss and shame Job is describing, making his complaint more relatable and vivid.