Job 6 · Verse 18

Job 6:18

The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
Job 6:18, King James Version

Job 6:18 in other translations

BSBCaravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
WEBThe caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
ASVThe caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.
YLTTurn aside do the paths of their way, They ascend into emptiness, and are lost.
DARBYThey wind about in the paths of their course, they go off into the waste and perish.
BBEThe camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
WebsterThe paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

What does Job 6:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. turned aside--rather, "caravans" (Hebrew, "travellers") turn aside from their way, by circuitous routes, to obtain water. They had seen the brook in spring full of water: and now in the summer heat, on their weary journey, they turn off their road by a devious route to reach the living waters, which they remembered with such pleasure. But, when "they go," it is "into a desert" [Noyes and Umbreit]. Not as English Version, "They go to nothing," which would be a tame repetition of the drying up of the waters in Job 6:17; instead of waters, they find an "empty wilderness"; and, not having strength to regain their road, bitterly disappointed, they "perish." The terse brevity is most expressive.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 The paths of their way - They sometimes forsake their ancient channels, which is a frequent case with the river Ganges; and growing smaller and smaller from being divided into numerous streams, they go to nothing and perish - are at last utterly lost in the sands.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 6:14-30

In his prosperity Job formed great expectations from his friends, but now was disappointed. This he compares to the failing of brooks in summer. Those who rest their expectations on the creature, will find it fail when it should help them; whereas those who make God their confidence, have help in the time of need, He 4:16. Those who make gold their hope, sooner or later will be ashamed of it, and of their confidence…

Read the full comment on Job 6:14-30 →

Job 6:18 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יִ֭לָּ֣פְתוּyi.La.fe.tuthey twistH3943
אָרְח֣וֹת'a.re.Chot[the] paths ofH734
דַּרְכָּ֑םdar.Kamway theirH1870
יַעֲל֖וּya.'a.Luthey go upH5927
בַתֹּ֣הוּva.To.huin the wastelandH8414
וְיֹאבֵֽדוּ\׃ve.yo.Ve.duso they may perishH6

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Context

  • Job 6:17

    What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

  • Job 6:18

    The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

  • Job 6:19

    The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

Read all of Job 6

Job 6:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Apártanse de la senda de su rumbo, van menguando y piérdense.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ils serpentent dans les sentiers de leur cours, ils s’en vont dans le désert, et périssent.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Es schlängeln sich die Pfade ihres Laufes, ziehen hinauf in die Öde und verlieren sich.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Involutæ sunt semitæ gressuum eorum; ambulabunt in vacuum, et peribunt.