John Gill Commentary Job 6:11

"What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?" — Job 6:11 (ASV)

What [is] my strength, that I should hope? &c.] For a perfect restoration of health, suggested by Eliphaz; since it was so sadly weakened by the present affliction, which made death more desirable than life lengthened out in so much weakness, pain, and sorrow; or "that I should bear" ^F23, such a weight and heavy load that lay upon him, and crushed him, and to which his strength was not equal; or continue and endure ^F24;

what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life? what end can be answered by living, or desiring a long life?

His children were gone, and none left to take care of and provide for; his substance was taken away from him, so that he had not to support himself, nor to be useful to others, to the poor; he had lost all power, authority, and influence, among men, and could be no more serviceable by his counsel and advice, and by the administration of justice and equity as a civil magistrate; and as to religious matters, he was reckoned an hypocrite and a wicked man by his friends, and had lost his character and interest as a good man.

And so for him to live could answer no valuable end, and, therefore, he desires to die; for what is here, and in (Job 6:12Job 6:13) said, contain reasons of his above request.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F23: (lxya yk) (oti upomenw) , Sept. "ut sustineam", V. L.
• F24: "Ut durem", Junius & Tremellius.