Job 16:3

Job 16:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
• New International Version (NIV)Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

Context of Job 16:3

1Then Job answered and said, 2“I have heard many such things; Wearisome and miserable comforters are you all. Is there no end to [your futile] words of wind? Or what plagues you [so much] that you [so boldly] answer [me like this]? 4I also could speak like you, If you were in my place; I could compose and join words together against you And shake my head at you. 5[But instead] I could strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth, And the consolation and solace of my lips would soothe your suffering and lessen your anguish.

Job 16:3 word by word

הֲקֵ֥ץ לְדִבְרֵי־ר֑וּחַ א֥וֹ מַה־יַּ֝מְרִֽיצְךָ֗ כִּ֣י תַעֲנֶֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Shall vainרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307
• wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• have an endקֵץqêts · endH7093
• or what emboldenethמָרַץmârats · be sickH4834
• thee that thou answerestעָנָה‛ânâh · to answerH6030

Cross-references for Job 16:3

• Job 6:26Do you intend to reprove my words [with a convincing argument], When the words of one in despair belong to the wind [and go ignored]?
• Job 8:2“How long will you say these things? And will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?
• Job 15:2“Should a wise man [such as you] utter such windy and vain knowledge [as we have just heard] And fill himself with the east wind [of withering, parching, and violent accusations]?
• Job 20:3I have heard the reproof which insults me, But the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.
• Job 32:3Elihu’s anger burned against Job’s three friends because they had found no answer [and were unable to determine Job’s error], and yet they had condemned Job and declared him to be in the wrong [and responsible for his own afflictions].
• Matthew 22:46No one was able to say a word to Him in answer, nor from that day on did anyone dare to question Him again.

Commentaries on Job 16:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Vain words - Literally, words of air. What emboldeneth thee - Thou art totally ignorant of the business; what then can induce thee to take part in this discussion?Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Shall vain words? - Margin, As in Hebrew words of wind; that is, words which were devoid of thought-light, trifling. This is a retort on Eliphaz. He had charged Job Job 15:2-3 with uttering only such words. Such forms of expression are common in the East. “His promise, it is only wind.” “Breath, breath: all breath.” Roberts. Or what emboldeneth thee? - “What provokes or irritates thee, that thou dost answer in this manner? What have I said, that has given…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. "Words of wind," Hebrew. He retorts upon Eliphaz his reproach (Job 15:2). emboldeneth--literally, "What wearies you so that ye contradict?" that is, What have I said to provoke you? &c. [Schuttens]. Or, as better accords with the first clause, "Wherefore do ye weary yourselves contradicting?" [Umbreit].Read the comment

Topics related to Job 16:3

• Persecution
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Comforter
• Foul
• Plead
• Scorn
• Provocation; Provoke

Commentaries on Job 16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary