Job 6:16
Job 6:16 in Multiple Translations
darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
Which are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself:
Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
The stream floods when it is full of dark ice and melting snow,
Which are blackish with yee, and wherein the snowe is hid.
That are black because of ice, By them doth snow hide itself.
which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and in which the snow is hid:
They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
when the melting ice and snow make those streams overflow,
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 6:16
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 6:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/קֹּדְרִ֥ים
מִנִּי
קָ֑רַח
עָ֝לֵ֗י/מוֹ
יִתְעַלֶּם
שָֽׁלֶג
הַ/קֹּדְרִ֥ים
qâdar
H6937
be dark
Art | V-Qal
מִנִּי
min
H4480
from
Prep
קָ֑רַח
qerach
H7140
ice
N-ms
עָ֝לֵ֗י/מוֹ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
יִתְעַלֶּם
ʻâlam
H5956
to conceal
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
שָֽׁלֶג
sheleg
H7950
snow
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 6:16
הַ/קֹּדְרִ֥ים
qâdar
H6937
"be dark"
Art | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to be dark or mournful, often describing someone wearing dark clothes to show sadness. It appears in various forms, like being dark or causing darkness. In the Bible, it's used to describe mourning or being gloomy.
Definition: 1) to mourn, be dark 1a) (Qal) to be dark 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to darken 1b2) to cause to mourn 1c) (Hithpael) to grow dark
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: be black(-ish), be (make) dark(-en), [idiom] heavily, (cause to) mourn. See also: 1 Kings 18:45; Jeremiah 4:28; Psalms 35:14.
מִנִּי
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
קָ֑רַח
qerach
H7140
"ice"
N-ms
Ice or frost, used to describe cold temperatures, like the frost that covered the ground in Exodus, and also rock crystal, a shiny mineral.
Definition: 1) frost, ice, ice crystal 1a) frost (of night) 1b) ice
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: crystal, frost, ice. See also: Genesis 31:40; Job 38:29; Psalms 147:17.
עָ֝לֵ֗י/מוֹ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יִתְעַלֶּם
ʻâlam
H5956
"to conceal"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to hide or conceal something from view. It appears in various forms, including being hidden or keeping a secret. In the Bible, it is used to describe hiding oneself or something from others.
Definition: 1) to conceal, hide, be hidden, be concealed, be secret 1a) (Qal) secret (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be concealed 1b2) concealed, dissembler (participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1d) (Hithpael) to hide oneself
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing). See also: Leviticus 4:13; Job 6:16; Psalms 10:1.
שָֽׁלֶג
sheleg
H7950
"snow"
N-ms
Sheleg means snow in Hebrew, likely due to its white color. It is also used in Aramaic as te.lag.
Definition: snow Aramaic equivalent: te.lag (תְּלַג "snow" H8517)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: snow(-y). See also: Exodus 4:6; Psalms 51:9; Psalms 147:16.
Study Notes — Job 6:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just
14A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
16darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
17but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat. 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.Job 6:16 Summary
Job 6:16 uses the image of a stream darkened by ice and melting snow to describe how troubles can obscure our spiritual vision. Just as a stream can be affected by external circumstances, our spiritual journeys can be impacted by the challenges we face. But even in the midst of darkness, we can trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, as seen in Romans 8:28, and seek His help to overcome our challenges, as the Psalmist does in Psalms 38:15. By persevering and trusting in God, we can find hope and comfort, even in the darkest of times, as Job does in Job 13:15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrase 'darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow' mean in Job 6:16?
This phrase is a metaphor describing how the presence of ice and melting snow can make a stream appear dark or murky, symbolizing how the presence of troubles can obscure our spiritual vision, as seen in Job 6:16, and similar to how the Psalmist describes the darkness of his soul in Psalms 38:8.
Is Job 6:16 talking about a real stream or a spiritual one?
While the verse uses a real stream as an example, the context of Job 6:15-17 suggests that Job is using this as a metaphor to describe the unreliability of his friends, much like the fleeting nature of streams in the desert, as described in Job 6:17-18 and similar to the warnings about false friends in Proverbs 27:6.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Job 6:16 is part of a larger lament by Job, where he is expressing his disappointment and frustration with his friends who have failed to provide him with the support and comfort he needs, as seen in Job 6:14-15 and Job 6:17-18, and echoing the cries of the Psalmist in Psalms 38:11.
What can we learn from this verse about perseverance?
This verse teaches us that just as a stream can be affected by external circumstances, our spiritual journeys can be impacted by the challenges we face, but we must persevere and trust in God, as Job does in Job 13:15, and as the apostle Paul encourages in Romans 5:3-5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have experienced 'darkening' in my own spiritual journey, and how have I responded to those challenges?
- How can I be a more reliable and supportive friend to those around me, especially in times of trouble, as described in Job 6:14?
- What are some 'ices' and 'melting snows' in my life that may be causing spiritual darkness, and how can I seek God's help to overcome them, as seen in Psalms 42:11?
- In what ways can I apply the lessons of Job 6:16 to my own relationships and interactions with others, and how can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, as described in Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on Job 6:16
Which are blackish by reason of the ice,.... When frozen over, they look of a blackish colour, and is what is called a black frost; and these either describe Job and his domestics, as some (h) think
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 6:16
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: Blackish - literally, Go as a mourner in black clothing (Psalms 35:14, end).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 6:16
Which in winter, when the traveller neither needs nor desires it, are full of water, then congealed by the frost. Wherein the snow is hid; either, 1. Under which the water, made of snow, which formerly fell, and afterwards was dissolved, lies hid. So he implies that he speaks not of those brooks which are fed by a constant spring, but of them which are filled by accidental and extraordinary falls of water, or snow melted, which run into them. Or, 2. Wherein there is abundance of snow mixed with or covered by the ice; or, in which the snow covers itself, i.e. where is snow upon snow; which gives the traveller hopes, that when he comes that way in summer, he shall find good store of water here for his refreshment.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 6:16
Job 6:16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow is hid:Ver. 16. Which are blackish by reason of the ice] Or frost, a black frost we call it, which deceiveth those that tread upon it. Or if, hard enough to bear up passengers, it promise to be a storehouse of preserving snow and water against the scorching time of summer, yet there is no trusting to it; for these waters, as they are in winter locked up with frosts, so they will be in summer exhaled and dried up by the sun.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 6:16
Verse 16. Blackish by reason of the ice] He represents the waters as being sometimes suddenly frozen, their foam being turned into the semblance of snow or hoar-frost: when the heat comes, they are speedily liquefied; and the evaporation is so strong from the heat, and the absorption so powerful from the sand, that they soon disappear.
Cambridge Bible on Job 6:16
16. are blackish] Rather, are black, that is, turbid. is hid] lit. hides itself, that is, dissolves. Pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow-falls in the river— A moment white, then melts for ever.
Barnes' Notes on Job 6:16
Which are blackish - Or, rather, which are turbid. The word used here (קדרים qoderı̂ym) means to be turbid, foul, or muddy, spoken of a torrent, and then to be of a dusky color, to be dark-colored, as e. g.