Job Chapter 16 (WEB)

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Job 16 is part of “Second Cycle of Dialogue” (15–21) in the outline of Job.

Job 16 summary

This chapter begins Job's reply to that discourse of Eliphaz which we had in the foregoing chapter; it is but the second part of the same song of lamentation with which he had before bemoaned himself, and is set to the same melancholy tune. I. He upbraids his friends with their unkind usage of him (Job 16:1-5). II. He represents his own case as very deplorable upon all accounts (Job 16:6-16). III. He still holds fast his integrity, concerning which he appeals to God's righteous judgment from the unrighteous censures of his friends (Job 16:14-22).

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

1. 1 Then Job answered,
2. 2 “I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!
3. 3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
4. 4 I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,
5. 5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
6. 6 “Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
7. 7 But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate.
8. 8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.
9. 9 He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
10. 10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
11. 11 God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
12. 12 I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.
13. 13 His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.
14. 14 He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs at me like a giant.
15. 15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.
16. 16 My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids,
17. 17 although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
18. 18 “Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
19. 19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
20. 20 My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
21. 21 that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
22. 22 For when a few years have come, I will go the way of no return.