6 "God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime
6 "He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom men spit.
6 "God, you've made me the talk of the town - people spit in my face;
6 "But He has made me a byword of the people, And I have become one in whose face men spit.
6 "God has made a mockery of me among the people; they spit in my face.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 17:6
Commentary on Job 17:1-9
(Read Job 17:1-9)
Job reflects upon the harsh censures his friends had passed upon him, and, looking on himself as a dying man, he appeals to God. Our time is ending. It concerns us carefully to redeem the days of time, and to spend them in getting ready for eternity. We see the good use the righteous should make of Job's afflictions from God, from enemies, and from friends. Instead of being discouraged in the service of God, by the hard usage this faithful servant of God met with, they should be made bold to proceed and persevere therein. Those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end, will keep their feet in the paths of religion as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they may meet with.