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Job Chapter 16

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 22 Verses

What is Job 16 about?

The suffering of a righteous man and the profound questions it raises about God's justice, sovereignty, and human understanding. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Then Job answered and said,
2I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are ye all.
3Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
4I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul`s stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
5[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage [your grief].
6Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
7But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.
8And thou hast laid fast hold on me, [which] is a witness [against me]: And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face.
9He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
11God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
12I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.
13His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.
15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust.
16My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
18O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no [resting] -place.
19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
20My friends scoff at me: [But] mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
21That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
22For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Then Job answered and said.] As soon as Eliphaz had done speaking, Job stood up, and made the following reply.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“JOB'S REPLY. (Job 16:1-22) (Job 13:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 2
“Many such things - That is, either things fitted to provoke and irritate, or sentiments that are common-place. There was nothing new in what they said, and nothing to the purpose. Miserable comforters - Compare Job 13:4. They had come professedly to condole with him. Now all that they said was adapted only to irritate, and to deepen his distress. He was disappointed; and he was deeply wounded and grieved. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Such things - These things are but vulgar and trivial. And so are all creatures, to a soul under deep conviction of sin, or the arrest of death. Job 16:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 4
“16:4 Job might have wanted to shake his head in mockery or in horror (2 Kgs 19:21; Pss 22:7; 109:25; Isa 37:22; Jer 18:16; Lam 2:15; Matt 27:39).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 2
“heard: Job 6:6, Job 6:25, Job 11:2, Job 11:3, Job 13:5, Job 19:2, Job 19:3, Job 26:2, Job 26:3; Jam 1:19 miserable: or, troublesome, Job 13:4; Psa 69:26; Phi 1:16 Job 16:3”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“1 Then began Job, and said: 2 I have now heard such things in abundance, Troublesome comforters are ye all! 3 Are windy words now at an end, Or what goadeth thee that thou answerest? 4 I also would speak like you, If only your soul were in my soul's stead. I would weave words against you, And shake my head at you; 5 I would encourage you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips should soothe you. The speech of Eliphaz, as of the other two, is meant to be comforting. It is, however, primarily an accusation; it wounds instead of soothing. Of this kind of speech, says Job, one has now heard רבּות, much, i.e., (in a…”
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