Job 6:12
Job 6:12 in Multiple Translations
Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?
Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?
Am I as strong as rock? Am I made out of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brasse?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh brazen?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.
I am not [RHQ] strong like rocks are, and my body is not made of bronze.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 6:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 6:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
כֹּ֣חַ
אֲבָנִ֣ים
כֹּחִ֑/י
אִֽם
בְּשָׂרִ֥/י
נָחֽוּשׁ
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
כֹּ֣חַ
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms
אֲבָנִ֣ים
ʼeben
H68
stone
N-fp
כֹּחִ֑/י
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms | Suff
אִֽם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
בְּשָׂרִ֥/י
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms | Suff
נָחֽוּשׁ
nâchûwsh
H5153
bronze
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 6:12
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
כֹּ֣חַ
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
אֲבָנִ֣ים
ʼeben
H68
"stone"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Definition: : weight 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror 1j2) perverse, hard heart
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). See also: Genesis 2:12; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 91:12.
כֹּחִ֑/י
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms | Suff
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
אִֽם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
בְּשָׂרִ֥/י
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
נָחֽוּשׁ
nâchûwsh
H5153
"bronze"
Adj
This word refers to bronze, a hard and coppery metal. In the Bible, it is often translated as brass, describing objects made of this strong material.
Definition: bronze
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: of brass. See also: Job 6:12.
Study Notes — Job 6:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 6:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 6:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 6:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 6:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 6:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 6:12
- Cambridge Bible on Job 6:12
- Barnes' Notes on Job 6:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 6:12
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?
13Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me? 14A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 41:24 | His chest is as hard as a rock, as hard as a lower millstone! |
| 2 | Job 40:18 | His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron. |
Job 6:12 Summary
[Job is asking if he is strong like stone or if his body is made of bronze, because he feels like he can't handle all the suffering he's going through. He's feeling weak and overwhelmed, and he's not sure how much more he can take. This is similar to how the Psalmist feels in Psalms 38:4, where he says his wounds are loathsome and festering because of his foolishness. Job is being honest with God about how he's feeling, and that's something we can learn from.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Job asking in this verse?
Job is questioning whether he has the strength to endure his suffering, comparing his strength to stone or bronze, highlighting his feeling of weakness and vulnerability, as seen in Job 6:11 where he asks what strength he has to still hope.
Why does Job compare his strength to stone or bronze?
Job compares his strength to stone or bronze to emphasize his feeling of being overwhelmed and powerless in the face of his suffering, much like the Psalmist in Psalms 22:14 who feels poured out like water and whose heart has turned to wax.
Is Job's question a statement of faith or doubt?
Job's question is a statement of his honest struggle with his circumstances, but it also shows his awareness of his limitations and his need for God's strength, as expressed in Isaiah 40:31 where it says those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Job?
This verse is part of Job's lament and his honest expression of his emotions and struggles, which is a common theme throughout the book of Job, as seen in Job 10:1 where Job says he is tired of his life and will speak in the bitterness of his soul.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I don't have the strength to endure, and how can I ask God for help?
- How do I respond when I feel overwhelmed and powerless, and what can I learn from Job's example?
- In what ways can I wait on God and trust in His strength, even when I feel weak and vulnerable?
- How can I be honest with God about my struggles and emotions, like Job is in this verse, and what can I expect from Him in response?
Gill's Exposition on Job 6:12
[Is] my strength the strength of stones?.... Is it like such especially which are foundation and corner stones that support a building? or like a stone pillar, that will bear a prodigious weight?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 6:12
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? My strength. Disease had so attacked him that his strength would need to be hard as a stone, and his flesh like brass, not to sink under it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 6:12
I am not made of stone or brass, but of flesh and blood, as others are; and therefore I am utterly unable to endure these miseries longer, and can neither hope for nor desire any continuance of my life, or restoration of my former happiness, but only wish for that death which is the common refuge of all miserable persons, as I said, ,18.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 6:12
Job 6:12 [Is] my strength the strength of stones? or [is] my flesh of brass?Ver. 12. Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?] Is it made of marble, or of the hardest metal? as it is said of one in Homer, that he was χαλκεντερος, of brazen bowels, and of Julius Scaliger, that he had a golden soul in an iron body; he was a very iron sides: but so was not Job; he had neither a body of brass, nor sinews of iron, to stand out against so many storms, and bear so many batteries; he felt what he endured, and could not long endure what he felt. As for the damned in hell, they are by the power of God upheld for ever, that they may suffer his fierce wrath for ever; which else they could never do. And as for those desperate assassins, Baltasar Gerardus, the Burgundian, who slew the Prince of Orange, A. D. 1584, and Ravilliac ( Ferale illud prodigium, as one calleth him, that hideous hell hound), who slew Henry IV of France in the midst of his preparations, and endured thereupon most exquisite torments; this they did out of stupidity of sense, not solidity of faith; and from a reckless desperation, not a confident resolution.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 6:12
Verse 12. Is my strength the strength of stones?] I am neither a rock, nor is my flesh brass, that I can endure all these calamities. This is a proverbial saying, and exists in all countries. Cicero says, Non enim est e saxo sculptus, aut e ROBORE dolatus HOMO; habet corpus, habet animum; movetur mente, movetur sensibus. "For man is not chiselled out of the rock, nor hewn out of the oak; he has a body, and he has a soul; the one is actuated by intellect, the other by the senses." Quaest. Acad. iv. 31. So Homer, where he represents Apollo urging the Trojans to attack the Greeks: - Νεμεσησεδ' Απολλων, Περγαμουεκκατιδων·Τρωεσσιδεκεκλετ' αυσας· Ορνυσθ', ἱπποδαμοιΤρωες, μηδ' εικετεχαρμης Αργειοις·επειουσφιλιθοςχρως, ουδεσιδηρος, Χαλκονανασχεσθαιταμεσιχροαβαλλομενοισιν. ILLIAD, lib. iv., ver. 507. But Phoebus now from Ilion's towering height Shines forth reveal'd, and animates the fight. Trojans, be bold, and force to force oppose; Your foaming steeds urge headlong on the foes!
Nor are their bodies ROCKS, nor ribb'd with STEEL; Your weapons enter, and your strokes they feel. POPE. These are almost the same expressions as those in Job.
Cambridge Bible on Job 6:12
12. Unless his strength were that of stones or his flesh brass he could not hold out against the exhausting afflictions which he has to bear, or recover from them.
Barnes' Notes on Job 6:12
Is my strength the strength of stones? - That is, like a rampart or fortification made of stones, or like a craggy rock that can endure assaults made upon it.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 6:12
12. Is my flesh of brass — That is, invulnerable? Brass is used sometimes as the symbol of incorrigible pride and wanton immorality, and sometimes as an emblem of durability and strength.