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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 6:12 Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/6-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/18_Job_06_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 6:12 - Job Replies: My Complaint is Just" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/6-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/6-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/6-11.htm" title="Job 6:11">◄</a> Job 6:12 <a href="/job/6-13.htm" title="Job 6:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Is</i> my strength the strength of stones? or <i>is</i> my flesh of brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Is</i> my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Is my strength <i>and</i> endurance that of stones, Or is my flesh made of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I am not strong as stone or bronze, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Do I have the strength of rocks? Does my body have the strength of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Am I made of stone? Is my body bronze? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength like that of stones? or is my flesh made of bronze? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh brazen?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If my strength the strength of stones? if my flesh of brass?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Have I the strength of stones, or is my flesh of bronze? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Oh, that my power were as the power of stone, or my flesh were of brass!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/6-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=902" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/6.htm">Job Replies: My Complaint is Just</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3581.htm" title="3581: kō·aḥ (N-msc) -- Or kowach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally or figuratively; also a large lizard.">Is my strength</a> <a href="/hebrew/3581.htm" title="3581: kō·ḥî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Or kowach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally or figuratively; also a large lizard.">like that</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’ă·ḇā·nîm (N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">of stone,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śā·rî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">my flesh</a> <a href="/hebrew/5153.htm" title="5153: nā·ḥūš (Adj-ms) -- Of bronze. Apparently passive participle of nachash (nachash, as denominative) when hissing); coppery, i.e. hard.">made of bronze?</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-29.htm">Isaiah 40:29-31</a></span><br />He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-14.htm">Psalm 22:14-15</a></span><br />I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me. / My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-7.htm">2 Corinthians 4:7-10</a></span><br />Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. / We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-26.htm">Psalm 73:26</a></span><br />My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Matthew 26:41</a></span><br />“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</a></span><br />In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a></span><br />No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">Psalm 39:4-5</a></span><br />“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. / You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">2 Corinthians 1:8-9</a></span><br />We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15-16</a></span><br />For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. / Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-3.htm">Psalm 102:3-5</a></span><br />For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers. / My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread. / Through my loud groaning my skin hangs on my bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18-24</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. / For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. / And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?</p><p class="hdg">of brass.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-18.htm">Job 40:18</a></b></br> His bones <i>are as</i> strong pieces of brass; his bones <i>are</i> like bars of iron.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/41-24.htm">Job 41:24</a></b></br> His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether <i>millstone</i>.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/8-27.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-6.htm">Brazen</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-6.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/job/6-7.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-11.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/job/5-23.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/job/6-11.htm">Strength</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/20-24.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-13.htm">Brazen</a> <a href="/job/20-24.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/job/7-5.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/job/8-17.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/job/8-17.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/job/8-16.htm">Strength</a><div class="vheading2">Job 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/6-1.htm">Job shows that his complaints are not causeless.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/6-8.htm">He wishes for death, wherein he is assured of comfort.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/6-14.htm">He reproves his friends of unkindness.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Is my strength like that of stone</b><br>In this phrase, Job is expressing his human frailty and vulnerability. The imagery of stone suggests something unyielding and enduring, qualities that Job feels he lacks in his current suffering. In biblical times, stone was often used to symbolize strength and permanence, as seen in the construction of altars and monuments (e.g., <a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">Genesis 28:18</a>). Job's rhetorical question highlights his awareness of his own limitations, contrasting with the divine strength of God, who is often referred to as a rock or fortress (e.g., <a href="/psalms/18-2.htm">Psalm 18:2</a>). This reflects the broader theme of human weakness in the face of divine power, a recurring motif throughout the Book of Job.<p><b>or my flesh made of bronze?</b><br>Bronze, in ancient times, was a symbol of durability and resilience, often used in the making of weapons and armor (e.g., <a href="/1_samuel/17-5.htm">1 Samuel 17:5-6</a>). By questioning whether his flesh is made of bronze, Job emphasizes his vulnerability and the physical toll of his afflictions. This metaphor underscores the contrast between human frailty and the perceived invincibility of bronze. In the broader biblical narrative, bronze is sometimes associated with judgment and purification, as seen in the bronze altar and the bronze serpent (e.g., <a href="/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9</a>). Job's lament can be seen as a cry for understanding and relief from his suffering, pointing to the need for divine intervention and the hope for restoration, themes that resonate with the redemptive work of Christ, who bore human suffering and provided a path to salvation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is enduring immense suffering and questioning the nature of his strength and endurance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/eliphaz,_bildad,_and_zophar.htm">Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar</a></b><br>Job's three friends who come to comfort him but end up engaging in a series of dialogues that challenge Job's understanding of his suffering and God's justice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority and sovereign being, whose character and justice are central themes in the dialogues between Job and his friends.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/suffering_and_trials.htm">Suffering and Trials</a></b><br>The events surrounding Job's life, including the loss of his wealth, children, and health, which serve as the backdrop for his lament and questioning.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/human_frailty.htm">Human Frailty</a></b><br>Job's rhetorical question highlights the limitations of human strength. We are not made of stone or bronze; we are vulnerable and dependent on God for true strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/acknowledging_weakness.htm">Acknowledging Weakness</a></b><br>Recognizing our own limitations is the first step toward relying on God's strength. In our weakness, we find the opportunity to lean on His power and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_lament.htm">The Role of Lament</a></b><br>Job's expression of his frailty is a form of lament, which is a valid and biblical way to process suffering. It allows us to bring our deepest pains and questions before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>In times of trial, we are reminded that our strength is not sufficient. We must depend on God, who is our rock and fortress, to sustain us through life's challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_community.htm">Encouragement in Community</a></b><br>Job's dialogue with his friends, though flawed, underscores the importance of community in times of suffering. We are called to support and encourage one another, pointing each other to God's strength.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_find_strength_in_weaknesses.htm">What are feet like burnished bronze?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_god's_justice_align_with_destruction.htm">Job 34:12 - Elihu insists God always acts justly; how does this align with texts describing God commanding destruction (e.g., Joshua 6)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_12_6_align_with_wicked's_fate.htm">In Job 12:6, how does the idea that 'the tents of robbers are at peace' harmonize with other scriptures that insist the wicked are eventually punished?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/verify_jordan_miracle_without_proof.htm">Joshua 4:1-9: How can we verify the miraculous nature of stopping the Jordan and gathering stones without historical or scientific proof?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?</span> It would require a man to have a body of brass, and strength like that of rocks, for him to be able to endure the ravages of such a disease, and yet to recover from it. Job cannot pretend to either. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/6-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Is my strength</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֣חַ</span> <span class="translit">(kō·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small reptile (of unknown species)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like that</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּחִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(kō·ḥî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small reptile (of unknown species)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of stone,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבָנִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my flesh</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשָׂרִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·śā·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made of bronze?</span><br /><span class="heb">נָחֽוּשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḥūš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5153.htm">Strong's 5153: </a> </span><span class="str2">Coppery, hard</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/6-12.htm">Job 6:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/6-12.htm">OT Poetry: Job 6:12 Is my strength the strength of stones? 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