English Standard Version
Job 15:2
2"Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
Job 15:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
- New International Version (NIV)“Would a wise person answer with empty notions or fill their belly with the hot east wind?
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind?
- New Living Translation (NLT)“A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk! You are nothing but a windbag.
Context of Job 15:2
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: "Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? 3Should he argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which he can do no good? 4But you are doing away with the fear of God and hindering meditation before God.
Read all of Job 15Job 15:2 word by word
הֶֽחָכָ֗ם יַעֲנֶ֥ה דַֽעַת־ר֑וּחַ וִֽימַלֵּ֖א קָדִ֣ים בִּטְנֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 15:2
- Job 11:2"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?
- Job 13:2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
- James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
- Job 6:26Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?
- Job 8:2"How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind?
- Hosea 12:1Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
Commentaries on Job 15:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Should a wise man utter vain knowledge - Or rather, Should a wise man utter the science of wind? A science without solidity or certainty. And fill his belly with the east wind? - בטן beten, which we translate belly, is used to signify any part of the cavity of the body, whether the region of the thorax or abdomen; here it evidently refers to the lungs, and may include the cheeks and fauces. The east wind, קדים kadim, is a very stormy wind in the Levant…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Should a wise man - Referring to Job, and to his claims to be esteemed wise; see Job 12:3; Job 13:2, Job 13:6. The argument of Eliphaz here is, that the sentiments which Job had advanced were a sufficient refutation of his pretensions to wisdom. A wise man would not be guilty of “mere talk,” or of using language that conveyed no ideas. Utter - literally, answer. It refers to the replies which Job had made to the arguments of his friends. Vain knowledge…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3fill his belly with the hot east wind: The east wind was hot, so it might symbolize upset or violent speech (Exodus 14:21; Hosea 13:15; Jonah 4:8; Job 27:21; Jeremiah 18:17).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-35SECOND SERIES. 2. a wise man--which Job claims to be. vain knowledge--Hebrew, "windy knowledge"; literally, "of wind" (Job 8:2). In Ec 1:14, Hebrew, "to catch wind," expresses to strive for what is vain. east wind--stronger than the previous "wind," for in that region the east wind is the most destructive of winds (Is 27:8). Thus here,--empty violence. belly--the inward parts, the breast (Pr 18:8).Read the comment
Topics related to Job 15:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 15
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries