Job 16:5

“[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, etc.] Comfort them with the words of his mouth; so God strengthens his people with strength in their souls, when he answers them with good and comfortable words; an angel strengthened Christ as man when in an agony, comforting him, suggesting comfortable things to him; so one saint may strengthen and comfort another when in distress, whether of soul or body; (see <19D803>Psalm 138:3 <422243>Luke 22:43,32); and thus Job had strengthened and comforted others, with his words in former times, as Eliphaz himself owns, (<180403>Job 4:3,4) and so he would again, were there a change in his circumstances, and objects presented: and the moving of my lips…”

“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" (Pro 27:9) is the opposite.”

“(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 preferred. The word rendered “moving” ניד nı̂yd is from נוּד nûd - “to move,” “agitate,” and hence, denotes “motion.” It denotes here the motion of the lips when we speak. Gesenius renders it, “consolation,” “comfort” - because this is expressed…”

“But I would: Job 4:3, Job 4:4, Job 6:14, Job 29:25; Psa 27:14; Pro 27:9, Pro 27:17; Isa 35:3, Isa 35:4; Gal 6:1 Job 16:6”