Job 11:2

“Should not the multitude of words be answered? etc.] Zophar insinuates, that Job was a mere babbler, a talkative man, that had words, but no matter; said a great deal, but there was nothing in what he said; that his words were but wind, yea, in effect that he was a fool, who is commonly full of words, and is known by the multitude of them; and whereas he might think to bear down all before him in this way, and to discourage persons from giving him an answer; this Zophar suggests should not be the case, nor would he be deterred hereby from giving one, which he now undertook: some supply it, as Bar Tzemach, “should not a man of a multitude of words” f470, etc. a verbose man, a dealer in many…”

“Should not the multitude of words be answered? - As if all that Job had said had been mere words; or as if he was remarkable for mere garrulity. And should a man full of talk be justified - Margin, as in Hebrew “of lips.” The phrase is evidently a Hebraism, to denote a great talker - a man of mere lips, or empty sound. Zophar asks whether such a man could be justified or vindicated. It will be recollected that taciturnity was with the Orientals a much greater virtue than with us, and that it was regarded as one of the proofs of wisdom. The wise man with them was he who sat down at the feet of age, and desired to learn; who carefully collected the maxims of former times; who diligently…”

“Answered - Truly, sometimes it should not. Silence is the best confutation of impertinence, and puts the greatest contempt upon it. Job 11:3”

“11:2-3 this torrent of words: Verbosity is characteristic of fools (Prov 10:8, 14) and sinners (Prov 10:19), but Job was innocent. • mock God: Zophar viewed Job’s words about God’s justice as sinfully sarcastic (Job 10:2-7, 13-15).”

“the multitude: Job 16:3, Job 18:2; Psa 140:11; Pro 10:19; Act 17:18; Jam 1:19 full of talk: Heb. of lips Job 11:3”