Job 16:1-5

Job 16:1-5

[1] Then Job  answered  and said,  [2] I have heard  many such things:  miserable  comforters  [3] Shall vain  words  have an end?  or what emboldeneth  thee that thou answerest?  [4] I also could speak  as ye do: if  your soul  were  in my soul's  stead, I could heap up  words  against you, and shake  mine head  at  you. [5] But I would strengthen  you with  my mouth,  and the moving  of my lips  should asswage 

What does Job 16:1-5 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Job said his visitors had said nothing new to help him ( Job 16:1). He picked up Eliphaz"s word (translated "mischief" in Job 15:35) and used it to describe him and his companions as "sorry," pain-inflicting comforters (an oxymoron, Job 16:2). Eliphaz"s words had not brought the consolation he had promised ( Job 15:11). Job charged his visitors with being the real windbags ( Job 16:3; cf. Job 8:2; Job 15:2). He claimed that he himself would provide more comfort than they were delivering, which Eliphaz had previously admitted Job could do ( Job 4:4).