איוב, פרק ו׳, פסוק כ״ז

Job confronts his companions, accusing them of a profound cruelty that goes far beyond a simple disagreement. Their harsh accusations expose a deep moral failure and a complete lack of compassion for the weak and vulnerable.

He illustrates this ruthlessness by comparing their behavior to the mistreatment of a helpless child. The primary approach among commentators is that these friends are so hardened they would trip an orphan or let a wall collapse on a defenseless youth without feeling any pity [מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא]. Others view this accusation through a legal and argumentative lens. In this light, the friends are using rigid judgments and flimsy evidence to condemn a desperate man who cannot defend himself, treating him exactly like a powerless orphan [רש״י, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Some suggest Job even suspects their advice is a deliberate trap meant to deceive and cause harm [תקות אנוש]. Additional perspectives interpret this cruelty as either casting lots to enslave an orphan or launching a physical attack against one [רמב״ן]. Alternatively, this accusation serves as a warning about moral decay. Since one sin leads naturally to another, crushing a broken man like Job will ultimately lead them to abuse actual orphans, an act that will surely ignite the anger of God [אלשיך].

Turning from the helpless orphan to their treatment of a close companion, Job points out their ultimate betrayal. Rather than offering support, the primary approach among commentators is that they are actively digging a pit for their friend to fall into [מצודת ציון, רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This digging is a metaphor for plotting evil and burying the truth in lies. They are working tirelessly to frame an innocent man for crimes he never committed [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם, תקות אנוש, אבן עזרא]. A different perspective, however, links their actions not to digging, but to preparing a feast. According to this view, the friends will eventually face divine justice. They will be forced to consume the bitter results of their own actions as if sitting down to a large meal, a direct punishment from God for judging their friend so ruthlessly and labeling him a wicked man [רמב״ן, אבן עזרא, אלשיך].