Job 6:2-3: "Wild Talk"

Anguish (mental and physical pain or suffering) sometimes causes us to say and do things that we don't really mean; what people say in the midst of pain may not truly reflect what they are at heart (Ecclesiastes 7:7). For instance, the faithful man Job experienced indescribable anguish at the hands of Satan the Devil. What can we learn from his mental and physical anguish?

In Job 6:2-3 (ESV), we read this exclamation:

“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash."

LXX:

εἰ γάρ τις ἱστῶν στήσαι μου τὴν ὀργήν τὰς δὲ ὀδύνας μου ἄραι ἐν ζυγῷ ὁμοθυμαδόν
καὶ δὴ ἄμμου παραλίας βαρυτέρα ἔσται ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἔοικεν τὰ ῥήματά μού ἐστιν φαῦλα

Brenton translates Job 6:3: "And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain."

But see how Aquila renders the Hebrew account: https://books.google.com/books?id=75YUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA566&lpg=PA566&dq=%CF%86%CE%B1%E1%BF%A6%CE%BB%CE%B1+job+6:3+septuagint&source=bl&ots=rqc73BAPED&sig=Eyq5LWLyjAyVgRL4dARigUX6D8w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjN1JKKyvTcAhWHtlMKHe1XD6QQ6AEwA3oECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=%CF%86%CE%B1%E1%BF%A6%CE%BB%CE%B1%20job%206%3A3%20septuagint&f=false

See 1 Maccabees 3:51.

Luther Bible in German (1912): Denn nun ist es schwerer als Sand am Meer; darum gehen meine Worte irre.

Keil-Delitzsch: Referring to Job, they say, "His words are like those of one in delirium."

Job speaks of his anguish or vexation being "heavier than the sand of the sea." The result is that his speech becomes "wild talk" (NWT) or as the footnote in the NWT points out: “rash or reckless speech.” Compare Proverbs 20:25.

So Job articulated thoughts in a way that did not reflect his true heart motivation--he also apparently thought that Jehovah no longer cared whether he remained faithful or not (Job 9:20-22). Consequently, Job exclaimed that he did not want to go on living: "Therefore, I will not restrain my mouth. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in my bitter distress. I loathe my life; I do not want to go on living. Leave me alone, for my days are like a breath” (Job 7:11, 16).

Similarly today, a brother or sister might become utterly discouraged or depressed. They may begin to speak “wildly” or rashly; but how might this kind of talk be handled?

Although it may be difficult, in these circumstances, it is good to remember how anguish can affect people. In the words of Proverbs 24:10: "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small" (ESV). Since anguish tends to drain our strength both mentally and physically, the Bible encourages Christians to support the weak, and speak consolingly to depressed persons (1 Thessalonians 5:14), and show insight, because having insight will slow down our anger (Proverbs 19:11). This counsel is especially important when parents deal with “wild talk” from their children.

Sources:

NWT

ESV

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202016088#h=1:0-10:0