Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

JOB 6:28KJV
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Job 6:28 (KJV)

What does Job 6:28 mean?

Job 6:28 is Job’s plea to his friends, asking them to be willing to look honestly at him and judge fairly whether he is lying. He wants them to examine him closely and see that he is telling the truth about his suffering and innocence.

Job is speaking directly to his friends, who have been accusing him of wrongdoing as the cause of his suffering. In this verse, Job urges them to stop assuming the worst and instead to pay attention to his words and demeanor. He is confident that if they truly look at him and listen, it will be clear he is not being deceitful.

The Hebrew behind Job 6:28

  • The word “content” is from אָבוּ (’avah, H2974), which often means “to be willing” or “to consent.” Job is not asking his friends to be satisfied, but rather to be open-minded or willing to consider his case.
  • “Look” comes from פָּנָה (panah, H6437), meaning “to turn” or “to pay attention.” Job is asking for their focused attention, not just a casual glance.
  • “Evident” is from פָּנִים (panim, H6440), which literally means “face” or “presence.” The sense here is that the truth is right in front of them, visible if they truly look at Job.
  • “Lie” is from כָּזַב (kazav, H3576), meaning “to lie” or “to be false.” Job is confident that if his friends really look at him, they will see he is not being deceitful.

Why Job 6:28 matters

  • This verse clears up that Job is not just defending himself, but actively inviting scrutiny—he is confident in his honesty and wants his friends to see it for themselves.
  • The verse highlights the tension between Job and his friends, showing that their accusations are based on assumptions rather than careful listening or observation.
  • Job 6:28 connects to the wider passage by emphasizing Job’s desire for fairness and understanding, rather than judgment based on appearances or tradition.

Where else these words appear

“lie” Hebrew H3576 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
  • Psalms 78:36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
  • Isaiah 57:11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

“content” Hebrew H2974 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
  • Judges 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
  • 2 Samuel 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

“look” Hebrew H6437 · used in 128 verses

  • Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
  • Judges 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
  • Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.