But now, please look at me.In this plea, Job is addressing his friends, urging them to truly see his condition and understand his sincerity. This reflects the cultural importance of personal testimony and face-to-face interaction in ancient Near Eastern societies. Job's request for his friends to "look at" him emphasizes the need for empathy and genuine understanding, which is a recurring theme in wisdom literature. This moment highlights Job's isolation and the failure of his friends to provide the comfort and support he seeks. It also echoes the broader biblical theme of God seeing and understanding human suffering, as seen in passages like
Psalm 139:1-3.
Would I lie to your face?
Job challenges his friends to consider his integrity, questioning whether he would deceive them directly. This reflects the high value placed on honesty and integrity in biblical times, as seen inProverbs 12:22, which states that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. Job's rhetorical question underscores his innocence and the unjust nature of his suffering, aligning with the broader narrative of the book where Job maintains his righteousness despite his friends' accusations. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate vindication of Job by God, who acknowledges Job's truthfulness and integrity inJob 42:7-8.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, enduring immense suffering and questioning the reasons behind his trials.
2.
Job's FriendsEliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are the three friends who come to comfort Job but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting that his suffering is a result of his sins.
3.
The Land of UzThe setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.
4.
GodThe sovereign Creator who allows Job's faith to be tested by Satan, yet ultimately restores Job's fortunes.
5.
SatanThe adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity.
Teaching Points
Integrity in SufferingJob's plea for his friends to look at him and recognize his honesty highlights the importance of maintaining integrity even when falsely accused or misunderstood.
The Value of Honest RelationshipsJob's request for his friends to see his sincerity underscores the need for transparency and truthfulness in our relationships, especially during trials.
Seeking UnderstandingJob's situation teaches us to seek understanding and empathy rather than quick judgments when others are suffering.
The Role of Friends in TrialsThe response of Job's friends serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of our words and assumptions on those who are suffering.
Trusting God's JusticeDespite the accusations and misunderstandings, Job ultimately trusts in God's justice, reminding us to rely on God's character when human understanding fails.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 6:28?
2.How does Job 6:28 encourage us to seek truth in difficult times?
3.What does Job's plea for attention teach about listening to others' struggles?
4.How can Job 6:28 inspire us to maintain integrity in our relationships?
5.In what ways does Job 6:28 connect to Jesus' teachings on truth?
6.How can we apply Job's request for fairness in our daily interactions?
7.How does Job 6:28 challenge our understanding of integrity and honesty in suffering?
8.What historical context influences the interpretation of Job 6:28?
9.How does Job 6:28 reflect the theme of seeking validation from others?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 6?
11.What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?
12.How should Christians live amidst suffering and persecution?
13.In Job 24:19-20, is the depiction of the grave consuming sinners consistent with or contradictory to other Old Testament views on divine judgment?
14.How does Isaiah 50:10 reconcile with the broader biblical narrative on trust in God, given that many faithful individuals still faced dire outcomes?What Does Job 6:28 Mean
But now- Up to this point Job’s friends have accused him of hidden sin (Job 4:7–8; 5:17). “But now” signals a turning point.
• Job is effectively saying, “Enough of the theories—let’s deal with the present moment.”
• Similar pivots appear when other servants of God respond to misunderstanding—see Paul in2 Corinthians 6:11–13 and David inPsalm 27:7–9.
• The phrase reminds us that truth is more important than speculation. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to engage with current reality, not imagined offenses (Proverbs 18:13).
please look at me- Job invites eye-to-eye contact, asking for genuine, personal consideration.
• His friends had talked about him, but Job wants them to look at him—just as Christ later looked Peter in the eye after the denial (Luke 22:61).
• By requesting their gaze, Job seeks compassion (Job 6:14) and a fair hearing (Deuteronomy 1:16).
• The appeal demonstrates that human dignity remains even in suffering; believers are to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).
• Job’s words challenge us to see the afflicted, not merely diagnose them from a distance (Matthew 25:40).
Would I lie to your face?- Job presses the issue of integrity.
• He insists that if he were concealing sin, he would not dare maintain innocence in direct conversation (Job 27:4–5).
• Facing his friends, he echoes what God later affirms about him—“there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright” (Job 1:8).
• The question underscores the Ninth Commandment’s call to truthfulness (Exodus 20:16) and anticipates Jesus’ demand for honest speech—“let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’” (Matthew 5:37).
• Job invites them to test his words, mirroring Paul’s appeal inActs 26:25 when accused of madness: “I am speaking sober truth.”
summaryJob’s brief plea inJob 6:28 moves from a decisive shift in the conversation (“But now”) to a request for compassionate attention (“please look at me”), culminating in a declaration of personal integrity (“Would I lie to your face?”). Taken together, the verse models honest dialogue, calls listeners to empathize with the suffering, and upholds the value God places on truthful speech.
(28)
Now therefore be contentto look upon me; for it will be evident unto you if I lie; or,
for surely I shall not lie to your face.Verse 28. -
Now therefore be content, look upon me; rather, be
pleased to look upon me. Professor Lee translates, "Look
favorably upon me." But this addition is unnecessary. What Job desires is that his friends would look him straight in the face. Then they would not be able to doubt him. They would see that he was telling the truth.
For it is evident unto you if I lie; rather, it
will be evident unto you, etc. Others render the passage, "For surely I shall not lie to your face" (Schultens, Canon Cook, Revised Version).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
But now,וְ֭עַתָּה(wə·‘at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258:At this timepleaseהוֹאִ֣ילוּ(hō·w·’î·lū)Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2974:To show willingness, be pleased, determine, undertake (to do anything)look at me;פְנוּ־(p̄ə·nū-)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6437:To turn, to face, appear, lookwould I lieאֲכַזֵּֽב׃(’ă·ḵaz·zêḇ)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3576:To lie, be a liartoוְעַל־(wə·‘al-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstyour face?פְּ֝נֵיכֶ֗ם(pə·nê·ḵem)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440:The face
Links
Job 6:28 NIVJob 6:28 NLTJob 6:28 ESVJob 6:28 NASBJob 6:28 KJV
Job 6:28 BibleApps.comJob 6:28 Biblia ParalelaJob 6:28 Chinese BibleJob 6:28 French BibleJob 6:28 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Job 6:28 Now therefore be pleased to look at (Jb) 
