Job 16:5

Job 16:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
• New International Version (NIV)But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.

Context of Job 16:5

3Is 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. [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. 6“If I speak [to you miserable comforters], my pain is not relieved; And if I refrain [from speaking], what [pain or anguish] leaves me? 7But now God has exhausted me. You [O Lord] have destroyed all my family and my household.

Job 16:5 word by word

אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם בְּמוֹ־פִ֑י וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I would strengthenאָמֵץ'âmats · to strengthenH553
• you withבְּמוֹbemô · in/at/byH1119
• my mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• and the movingנִידnîyd · solaceH5205
• of my lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• should asswageחָשַׂךְchâώak · to withholdH2820

Cross-references for Job 16:5

• Job 4:3Behold, you have admonished and instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
• Job 6:14“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not abandon (turn away from) the fear of the Almighty.
• Job 29:25I chose a way for them and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king among his soldiers, As one who comforts mourners.
• Psalms 27:14Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.
• Proverbs 27:9Oil and perfume make the heart glad; So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.
• Isaiah 35:3Encourage the exhausted, and make staggering knees firm.
• Galatians 6:1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.

Commentaries on Job 16:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5I would strengthen you with my mouth - Mr. Good translates thus: - "With my own mouth will I overpower you, Till the quivering of my lips shall fail;" for which rendering he contends in his learned notes. This translation is countenanced by the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5(But I would strengthen you with my mouth With that which proceeds from the mouth - words. And the moving of my lips - My speaking - implying that it would have been done in a mild, gentle, kind manner - so that the lips would appear just to move. Others, however, have given a different interpretation. Thus, Dr. Good renders it: “With my own mouth will I overpower you, Till the quivering of my lips shall fall.” But the common interpretation is to be…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. strengthen ... with ... mouth--bitter irony. In allusion to Eliphaz' boasted "consolations" (Job 15:11). Opposed to strengthening with the heart, that is, with real consolation. Translate, "I also (like you) could strengthen with the mouth," that is, with heartless talk: "And the moving of my lips (mere lip comfort) could console (in the same fashion as you do)" [Umbreit]. "Hearty counsel" (Pr 27:9) is the opposite.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 16:5

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Comforter
• Foul
• Plead
• Scorn
• Assuage
• Job, Book of

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