Job 14:6

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 14:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
Job 14:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Turn from him, that he may rest, etc.] From this short lived afflicted man, whose days are limited, and will soon be at an end, meaning himself; not that he desires he would withdraw his gracious presence, nothing is more agreeable than this to a good man, and there is nothing he more deprecates than the withdrawing of it; besides, this was Job’s case, and one part of his complaint, (<181324>Job 13:24); nor to withhold his supporting presence, or his providential care of him, without which he could not subsist, but must die and drop into the dust; though some think this is the sense, and render the words, “turn from him, that he may cease” f582 ; to be, or to live, and so a wish for death,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Turn--namely, Thine eyes from watching him so jealously (Job 14:3). hireling-- (Job 7:1). accomplish--rather, "enjoy." That he may at least enjoy the measure of rest of the hireling who though hard worked reconciles himself to his lot by the hope of his rest and reward [UMBREIT].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Turn from him - - שׁעה shâ‛âh. Look away from; or turn away the eyes; Isaiah 22:4. Job had represented the Lord as looking intently upon him, and narrowly watching all his ways. He now asks him that he would look away and suffer him to be alone, and to spend the little time he had in comfort and peace. That he may rest - Margin, “Cease.” “Let him be ceased from” - ויחדל veychâdal. The idea is not that of rest, but it is that of having God cease to afflict him; or, in other words, leaving him to himself. Job wished the hand of God to be withdrawn, and prayed that he might be left to himself. Till he shall accomplish - - עד־ירצה ‛ad-yı̂rtseh. Septuagint, είδοκήσῃ τὸν βίον eidokēsē…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Turn - Withdraw thine afflicting hand from him, that he may have some present ease. 'Till - He come to the period of his life, which thou hast allotted to him, as a man appoints a set time to an hired servant. Job 14:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Turn: Job 7:16, Job 7:19, Job 10:20; Psa 39:13 rest: Heb. cease as an hireling: Job 7:1, Job 7:2; Mat 20:1-8 Job 14:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification