Job 6:11
New International Version
“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?

New Living Translation
But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for.

English Standard Version
What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

Berean Standard Bible
What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

King James Bible
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

New King James Version
“What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

New American Standard Bible
“What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure?

NASB 1995
“What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure?

NASB 1977
“What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure?

Legacy Standard Bible
What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure?

Amplified Bible
“What strength do I have left, that I should wait [and hope]? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient and endure?

Christian Standard Bible
What strength do I have, that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What strength do I have that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

American Standard Version
What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

Contemporary English Version
Why should I patiently hope when my strength is gone?

English Revised Version
What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, at I should be patient?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
What strength do I have [left] that I can go on hoping? What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life?

Good News Translation
What strength do I have to keep on living? Why go on living when I have no hope?

International Standard Version
"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient?

Majority Standard Bible
What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

NET Bible
What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

New Heart English Bible
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

Webster's Bible Translation
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

World English Bible
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
What [is] my power that I should hope? And what [is] my end that I should prolong my life?

Young's Literal Translation
What is my power that I should hope? And what mine end That I should prolong my life?

Smith's Literal Translation
For what my strength that I shall wait and what my end, that I shall prolong my soul?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?

New American Bible
What strength have I that I should endure, and what is my limit that I should be patient?

New Revised Standard Version
What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What is my strength, that I should endure? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And how great is my power that I may endure, and what is my end that I should be patient in my spirit?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Replies: My Complaint is Just
10It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. 11What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? 12Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:13-14
Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. / Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Isaiah 57:10
You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak.

Psalm 31:24
Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.

Lamentations 3:18-24
So I say, “My strength has perished, along with my hope from the LORD.” / Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall. / Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me. ...

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? / But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

Isaiah 38:10-14
I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.” / I said, “I will never again see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living; I will no longer look on mankind with those who dwell in this world. / My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me. ...

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. / Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. / Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Psalm 42:5
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 39:4-7
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. / You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. ...

James 5:11
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.


Treasury of Scripture

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

What.

Job 7:5-7
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome…

Job 10:20
Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

Job 13:25,28
Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? …

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End Endure Forward Hope Life Patience Patient Power Prolong Strength Wait Waiting
Job 6
1. Job shows that his complaints are not causeless.
8. He wishes for death, wherein he is assured of comfort.
14. He reproves his friends of unkindness.














What is my strength
In this phrase, Job questions the very essence of his physical and spiritual fortitude. The Hebrew word for "strength" here is "koach," which often denotes not just physical power but also the inner resilience and capacity to endure trials. In the context of Job's suffering, this question reflects his deep sense of vulnerability and exhaustion. Historically, strength was often associated with divine favor in the ancient Near Eastern context, and Job's lament suggests a perceived withdrawal of God's sustaining power. This invites readers to reflect on the source of true strength, which, from a conservative Christian perspective, is found in reliance on God rather than human ability.

that I should hope?
The Hebrew word for "hope" is "yachal," which implies waiting with expectation. Job's rhetorical question underscores his struggle with despair, as he feels devoid of any reason to anticipate relief or restoration. In the broader scriptural narrative, hope is a central theme, often linked to faith in God's promises. Job's lamentation here contrasts with the biblical encouragement to maintain hope even in dire circumstances, reminding believers of the importance of trusting in God's ultimate plan and timing, even when immediate circumstances seem bleak.

What is my future
The term "future" in this context can be understood as "end" or "outcome," derived from the Hebrew word "acharith." Job is contemplating the end result of his life and suffering, questioning the purpose and direction of his existence. In the ancient world, one's future was often seen as a reflection of one's current standing with the divine. Job's inquiry reflects his uncertainty and fear about what lies ahead, a sentiment that resonates with anyone facing prolonged trials. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this invites reflection on the assurance of a future secured by faith in God's promises, as seen throughout the biblical narrative.

that I should be patient?
The word "patient" here is translated from the Hebrew "arak," meaning to prolong or endure. Job is questioning the rationale behind enduring his suffering when the future seems so uncertain. Patience, in the biblical sense, is often associated with steadfastness and perseverance in faith. Job's struggle with patience highlights the human tendency to seek immediate relief from suffering, contrasting with the biblical call to endure with faith and trust in God's timing. This serves as an encouragement to believers to cultivate patience, trusting that God is at work even when His plans are not immediately visible.

(11) Prolong my life.--This is the literal rendering; but some understand be patient, as in our phrase, long-suffering.

Verse 11. - What is my strength, that I should hope? Eliphaz had suggested that Job might recover and be restored to his former prosperity (Job 5:18-26). Job rejects this suggestion. His strength is brought too low; it is not conceivable that he should be restored, he cannot entertain any such hope. And what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? rather, that I should stretch out my spirit. Job cannot look forward to such an "end" as Eliphaz prophesies for him; therefore he cannot bring himself to wait on with patience.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
What
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

strength do I have,
כֹּחִ֥י (kō·ḥî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

that
כִֽי־ (ḵî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I should still hope?
אֲיַחֵ֑ל (’ă·ya·ḥêl)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3176: To wait, to be patient, hope

What
וּמַה־ (ū·mah-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is my future,
קִּ֝צִּ֗י (qiṣ·ṣî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7093: An extremity, after

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
נַפְשִֽׁי׃ (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

should be patient?
אַאֲרִ֥יךְ (’a·’ă·rîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 748: To be, long


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OT Poetry: Job 6:11 What is my strength that I should (Jb)
Job 6:10
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