Translations
Modern
Will You never look away from me, or leave me alone to swallow my spittle?
Traditional
How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
Literal
How long will You not look away from me? Will You not leave me alone until I swallow my spittle?
Latin
Usquequo non parcis mihi, nec dimittis me ut glutiam salivam meam?
Original
Hebrew
English
Will You never look away from me, or leave me alone to swallow my spittle?
Notes
Will You never look away from me (literally How long will you not look away from me): Job wanted the opposite of the attention that loyal people usually desire (Numbers 6:25; Psalms 27:9; 69:17; 80:3, 7, 19; Lamentations 1:9).
to swallow: This means “a chance to calm my breathing.”
Job responds by criticizing his counselors and questioning God (chapters 6 and 7). He explains his intense words by indicating his deep "grief" or "anguish" (6:2–3; 7:11). Job states that Eliphaz has not provided comfort or sympathy as a friend. Instead, Eliphaz chose to argue about out of date religious or theological ideas.
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