Job 6 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter is the beginning of Job’s response to Eliphaz.The ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is poetry.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Metaphors

Job uses many different metaphors in this chapter to express his pain or despair and to show that he is upset with his friends, people who are supposed to help him during difficult times. (See: figs-metaphor)In [verses 16–20](../06/16.md), Job develops the image of his friends being like a stream of water that runs dry. Since Job explains the meaning of the image again in [verse 21](../06/21.md), you do not need to explain it in your translation in [verses 16–20](../06/16.md).

Rhetorical questions

Job often uses the question form in this chapter to make emphatic statements or exclamations. This emphasis helps strengthen Job’s response to Eliphaz. (See: figs-rquestion)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

plural “you”

Beginning in [verse 21](../06/21.md), Job addresses his friends directly. So when he uses the word you from that verse to the end of the chapter, the word is plural. Use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.