Job 16:5
Job 16:5 in Multiple Translations
But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.
I might give you strength with my mouth, and not keep back the comfort of my lips.
I could build you up by my mouth speaking words; the movement of my lips would ease your pain.
But I woulde strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips should asswage your sorowe.
I might harden you with my mouth, And the moving of my lips might be sparing.
but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief .
I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.
But, unlike all of you, with what I said [MTY] I would encourage you and try to cause your pain to be less.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 16:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 16:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲאַמִּצְ/כֶ֥ם
בְּמוֹ
פִ֑/י
וְ/נִ֖יד
שְׂפָתַ֣/י
יַחְשֹֽׂךְ
אֲאַמִּצְ/כֶ֥ם
ʼâmats
H553
to strengthen
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff
בְּמוֹ
bᵉmôw
H1119
in/at/by
Prep
פִ֑/י
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
וְ/נִ֖יד
nîyd
H5205
solace
Conj | N-ms
שְׂפָתַ֣/י
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd | Suff
יַחְשֹֽׂךְ
châsak
H2820
to withhold
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 16:5
אֲאַמִּצְ/כֶ֥ם
ʼâmats
H553
"to strengthen"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this verb means to be strong or courageous, like in Deuteronomy 31:6, where Moses tells the Israelites to be brave. It can also mean to strengthen or secure something. English Bibles often translate it as 'be courageous' or 'strengthen'.
Definition: 1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard 1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold 1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure 1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to 1d) (Hiphil) to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed). See also: Genesis 25:23; 2 Chronicles 13:18; Psalms 18:18.
בְּמוֹ
bᵉmôw
H1119
"in/at/by"
Prep
This Hebrew word means in, at, by, or with, and is used to show location or relationship. It is translated as for, in, into, or through in the KJV Bible. The word is used to describe a sense of place or direction.
Definition: in, at, by
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: for, in into, through. See also: Job 9:30; Psalms 11:2; Isaiah 25:10.
פִ֑/י
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
וְ/נִ֖יד
nîyd
H5205
"solace"
Conj | N-ms
A gentle movement of the lips, often used to describe quiet speech or a soothing sound. In the Bible, it is used to describe the gentle words of a friend.
Definition: quivering (motion) of lips
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: moving. See also: Job 16:5.
שְׂפָתַ֣/י
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd | Suff
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
יַחְשֹֽׂךְ
châsak
H2820
"to withhold"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to withhold or restrain something. It can also mean to spare, preserve, or observe. In the Bible, it is used to describe holding back or keeping something for oneself.
Definition: 1) to withhold, restrain, hold back, keep in check, refrain 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to withhold, keep back, keep for oneself, keep from, hold in check, refrain, spare, reserve 1a2) to restrain, check 1b) (Niphal) to assuage, be spared
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: assuage, [idiom] darken, forbear, hinder, hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare, withhold. See also: Genesis 20:6; Job 33:18; Psalms 19:14.
Study Notes — Job 16:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 16:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 16:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 16:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 16:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 16:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 16:5
- Cambridge Bible on Job 16:5
- Barnes' Notes on Job 16:5
- Sermons on Job 16:5
Context — Job Decries His Comforters
3Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying?
4I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you.
5But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.
6Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I hold back, how will it go away? 7Surely He has now exhausted me; You have devastated all my family.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 27:9 | Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul. |
| 2 | Galatians 6:1 | Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. |
| 3 | Isaiah 35:3–4 | Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” |
| 4 | Job 6:14 | A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
| 5 | Proverbs 27:17 | As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. |
| 6 | Psalms 27:14 | Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD! |
| 7 | Job 4:3–4 | Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands. Your words have steadied those who stumbled; you have braced the knees that were buckling. |
| 8 | Job 29:25 | I chose their course and presided as chief. So I dwelt as a king among his troops, as a comforter of the mourners. |
Job 16:5 Summary
[Job 16:5 means that even though Job was suffering, he wanted to help his friends feel better with kind words. He wanted to comfort them and bring them relief, just like we can comfort each other when we are hurting. This reminds us of the importance of using our words to build each other up, as seen in Ephesians 4:29, which says 'Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up'. By speaking kindly to one another, we can bring comfort and relief, just like Job desired to do.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Job 16:5 and how does it relate to the surrounding verses?
Job 16:5 is a response to his friends' criticisms and long-winded speeches, as seen in Job 16:3, where Job asks if they will never end their speeches, and in Job 16:4, where he says he could also speak like them if he were in their place.
How does Job's statement in Job 16:5 demonstrate his character?
Job's statement in Job 16:5 shows that despite his own suffering, he is concerned about comforting others, which reflects his compassionate and empathetic nature, as also seen in Job 4:3-4 where he comforts his friends.
What does Job mean by 'the consolation of my lips would bring relief' in Job 16:5?
Job means that his words of encouragement and comfort would have a soothing effect on his friends, much like the comforting words of Psalm 119:50, which says 'Your word has given me life'
How does Job 16:5 relate to the broader theme of suffering and comfort in the book of Job?
Job 16:5 highlights the contrast between Job's desire to comfort others and his own need for comfort, which is a recurring theme in the book of Job, as seen in Job 2:11 where his friends come to comfort him, and in Job 42:11 where God restores his fortunes
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can offer comfort and relief to those around me who are suffering, just like Job desired to do in Job 16:5?
- How can I, like Job, maintain a compassionate and empathetic attitude towards others even when I am going through my own struggles?
- What role does the tongue play in bringing comfort or pain to others, and how can I use my words to be a source of relief, as Job desired in Job 16:5?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of Job 16:5 to my own relationships, offering words of encouragement and consolation to those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Job 16:5
[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth,.... 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 16:5
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. Strengthen with ... mouth - bitter irony. In allusion to Eliphaz' boasted "consolations" (Job 15:11).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 16:5
Strengthen you, i.e. direct, and support, and comfort you. My discourse should comfort you. The words your grief are here understood, either out of the foregoing clause, where they are implied; or out of the next verse, where they are expressed. Possibly the words may be thus rendered without any ellipsis, which is most natural, if the translation be true and suitable: compassion (for the Hebrew word nid comes from nud, which signifies to condole) should restrain or govern my lips, that they should avoid all speeches which may vex you, and speak only what may be to your comfort and benefit; whereas you let your tongues loose to speak whatsoever pleaseth you, or tormenteth me.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 16:5
Job 16:5 [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage [your grief].Ver. 5. But I would strengthen you with my mouth] I would speak to your hearts, and raise up your drooping spirits. True it is, that consolatiunculae creaturulae (as Luther calleth them), creature comforts are poor businesses; nevertheless God conveyeth comfort many times by one man to another, as the air conveyeth light, or water heat. His comforts are either rational, fetched from grounds which faith ministereth; or real, from the presence of anything that comforteth, as the sight and discourse of a friend. And herein, "how forcible are right words!" Job 6:25. They are of force, we see here, both to strengthen the feeble minded, and to abate the strength of their sorrows, to assuage the most swelling floods thereof. And thus one man may be an angel, nay, a God, to another, Now whereas some might say, You that are so good at comforting others, and promise so fair, why are you not comfortable? Job answereth, in the next verse, that this was their fault who had unkindly kept him apart from receiving any comfort.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 16:5
Verse 5. I would strengthen you with my mouth] Mr. Good translates thus: - "With my own mouth will I overpower you, Till the quivering of my lips shall fail;" for which rendering he contends in his learned notes. This translation is countenanced by the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions.
Cambridge Bible on Job 16:5
5. The verse no doubt carries on the idea of the preceding: I could strengthen you with my mouth, And the condolence of my lips could assuage your grief. The emphasis falls on mouth and lips. Job could give them lip-comfort enough, pour out abundance of words in which lay no power to uphold the heart as they did not proceed from the heart. “Condolence” as ch. Job 2:11.
Barnes' Notes on Job 16:5
(But I would strengthen you with my mouth With that which proceeds from the mouth - words.
Sermons on Job 16:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Letters by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot emphasizes the intimate and heartfelt nature of letters, particularly those exchanged between beloved friends in the Lord, as they reveal the writer's deepest experien |
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A Friend of Sinners - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a searchable heart before God, allowing the Holy Spirit to continually search and reveal any hidden sins or areas needing correction |
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A Friend of Sinners by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker warns about the rise of false teachers who will appear as attractive and charismatic individuals. These false teachers will preach a partial gospel, lea |
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Falling Away- Rescue and Restoration by Francis Chan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not separating our beliefs and convictions from our actions, especially when it comes to helping others in need. It challenges the listener |
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Genesis by Jim Cymbala | Jim Cymbala preaches on Genesis 38, focusing on the flawed character of Judah and the messy circumstances surrounding his family. He emphasizes that despite Judah's moral failures, |
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Empowered to Love and Restore by Francis Chan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not separating our actions from our beliefs and convictions, urging believers to actively engage in helping others in need, both physically |
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Called to Be Accountable by Andy Stanley | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accountability in the Christian life. He argues that God does not expect us to struggle alone and that we all face the same |