Job 6:21 (KJV)

What does Job 6:21 mean?

Job 6:21 expresses Job’s disappointment with his friends, saying that they have become unreliable and distant now that he is suffering. Job points out that his friends see how low he has been brought and are afraid, withdrawing instead of offering help or comfort.

Job is speaking directly to his friends after they have failed to support him in his distress. He feels abandoned and let down, highlighting how their fear or discomfort at his suffering has made them unwilling to stand by him. This verse shows the breakdown in trust and support between Job and those he once relied on.

The Hebrew behind Job 6:21

• see (רָאָה, ra’ah): This word means “to see” or “to look at.” Here, it emphasizes that Job’s friends have witnessed his downfall directly, not just heard about it.
• down (חַת, chat): This word is often understood as “destruction” or “terror.” In this verse, it describes Job’s state of being brought low or cast down, underlining the severity of his suffering.
• afraid (יָרֵא, yare’): This word means “to fear” or “to be afraid.” Job suggests that his friends’ fear has caused them to shrink back from him, rather than offering support.

Why Job 6:21 matters

• Job 6:21 clarifies that Job’s friends are not just passive but have actively withdrawn because of fear, not just misunderstanding.
• The verse highlights Job’s sense of isolation, which is a key theme in the book, showing how suffering can strain even close relationships.
• Understanding the original words for “down” and “afraid” helps reveal that Job’s friends are reacting to the intensity of his suffering, not just its existence.