For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. For the arrows of the AlmightyThe imagery of "arrows" in ancient Near Eastern culture often symbolizes divine judgment or affliction. In Hebrew, the word for "arrows" (חִצֵּי, chitzim) can denote instruments of war or punishment. Job perceives his suffering as direct and intentional, akin to being struck by arrows from God Himself. This reflects the belief in God's sovereignty and His active role in the lives of individuals, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The "Almighty" (שַׁדַּי, Shaddai) emphasizes God's ultimate power and authority, underscoring Job's feeling of being overwhelmed by divine forces beyond his control. are within me
The phrase "are within me" suggests an intimate and personal affliction. Job's suffering is not external or superficial; it penetrates deeply into his being. This internalization of pain highlights the profound nature of his trials, affecting both his physical and spiritual state. The Hebrew context suggests a deep, consuming presence of these divine "arrows," indicating that Job's suffering is not just a physical ailment but a spiritual and emotional crisis. my spirit drinks their poison
The metaphor of drinking "poison" (רֹתְבָּם, ro'tbam) conveys the idea of suffering that is not only inflicted but also internalized. Ingesting poison implies a slow, painful process leading to deterioration. Job's "spirit" (רוּחִי, ruach) here refers to his inner life, his vitality, and essence. The use of "drinks" suggests an involuntary action, as if Job has no choice but to endure this bitter experience. This reflects the depth of his despair and the pervasive nature of his affliction, which affects his very soul. the terrors of God
The "terrors" (אֵימָהוֹת, eimahot) of God refer to the overwhelming and awe-inspiring aspects of divine power that can evoke fear and dread. In the ancient world, divine manifestations were often associated with fearsome phenomena, and Job feels as though these terrifying aspects of God are directed at him. This phrase underscores the intensity of Job's experience, as he perceives his suffering as a direct confrontation with the fearsome power of God. are arrayed against me
The phrase "are arrayed against me" suggests a strategic and organized opposition. The Hebrew verb used here implies a military formation, as if Job is besieged by an army of divine forces. This imagery conveys the sense of being surrounded and overwhelmed, with no avenue for escape. Job feels isolated and targeted, emphasizing his vulnerability and the magnitude of his trials. This reflects the broader theme of the Book of Job, where human suffering is explored in the context of divine sovereignty and justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it. 2. The Almighty (God)Referred to as the source of Job's suffering in this verse, highlighting the divine sovereignty and the mysterious nature of God's will. 3. ArrowsSymbolic of the afflictions and sufferings that Job perceives as being sent by God. In ancient times, arrows were often used metaphorically to describe sudden and piercing troubles. 4. SpiritRefers to Job's inner being or soul, which is deeply affected by his suffering. 5. Terrors of GodRepresents the overwhelming and fearsome nature of Job's trials, which he attributes to divine action. Teaching Points Understanding SufferingSuffering can feel like an attack from God, but it is important to seek understanding and trust in His greater plan. The Role of EmotionsJob's expression of anguish is a reminder that it is okay to bring our raw emotions before God. He can handle our honesty and pain. Divine SovereigntyRecognize that God is sovereign, and His ways are higher than ours. Our limited understanding should lead us to trust rather than despair. Spiritual ResilienceIn times of suffering, focus on building spiritual resilience through prayer, scripture, and community support. Hope in TrialsEven when feeling overwhelmed, remember that God’s ultimate purpose is for our good, and He is with us in our trials. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's description of his suffering as "arrows of the Almighty" affect your understanding of the nature of his trials? 2. In what ways can Job's honest expression of his feelings before God serve as a model for our own prayer life? 3. How do the "terrors of God" in Job 6:4 compare to the concept of divine discipline found in Hebrews 12:5-11? 4. What practical steps can you take to build spiritual resilience in the face of suffering, based on Job's experience? 5. How can the imagery of arrows and poison in Job 6:4 help us understand the depth of emotional and spiritual pain, and how can we support others going through similar experiences? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 38:2This verse also uses the imagery of arrows to describe suffering, showing a common biblical metaphor for divine chastisement or trials. Lamentations 3:12-13Similar imagery is used to express feelings of being targeted by God, reflecting the deep anguish and sense of divine involvement in human suffering. Hebrews 12:5-11Discusses God's discipline, which, although painful, is ultimately for our good, providing a New Testament perspective on suffering. People Job, TemaPlaces Sheba, Tema, UzTopics Almighty, Army, Array, Arrayed, Arrows, Deep, Drinketh, Drinking, Drinks, Fears, God's, Goes, Marshaled, Mighty, Order, Poison, Present, Ruler, Spirit, Terrors, Themselves, Whereof, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes Job 6:4 1205 God, titles of
4500 poison
5210 arrows Job 6:1-13 5945 self-pity Library July 12 Evening
Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.--HEB. 10:24. How forcible are right words!--I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.--If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathOf Sufferings
Of Sufferings Be patient under all the sufferings which God is pleased to send you: if your love to Him be pure, you will not seek Him less on Calvary, than on Tabor; and, surely, He should be as much loved on that as on this, since it was on Calvary He made the greater display of His Love for you. Be not like those, who give themselves to Him at one season, and withdraw from Him at another: they give themselves only to be caressed; and wrest themselves back again, when they come to be crucified, …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer "Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing," &C.
Rom. xv. 13.--"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," &c. It is usual for the Lord in his word to turn his precepts unto promises, which shows us, that the commandments of God do not so much import an ability in us, or suppose strength to fulfil them, as declare that obligation which lies upon us, and his purpose and intention to accomplish in some, what he requires of all: and therefore we should accordingly convert all his precepts unto prayers, seeing he hath made …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity A Solemn Address to those who Will not be Persuaded to Fall in with the Design of the Gospel.
1. Universal success not to be expected.--2-4. Yet, as unwilling absolutely to give up any, the author addresses thou who doubt the truth of Christianity, urging an inquiry into its evidences, and directing to prayer methods for that purpose.--5 Those who determine to give it up without further examination.--6. And presume to set themselves to oppose it.--7, 8. Those who speculatively assent to Christianity as true, and yet will sit down without any practical regard to its most important and acknowledged …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul "And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6.--"And we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Here they join the punishment with the deserving cause, their uncleanness and their iniquities, and so take it upon them, and subscribe to the righteousness of God's dealing. We would say this much in general--First, Nobody needeth to quarrel God for his dealing. He will always be justified when he is judged. If the Lord deal more sharply with you than with others, you may judge there is a difference …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 6:4 NIVJob 6:4 NLTJob 6:4 ESVJob 6:4 NASBJob 6:4 KJV
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