Job 16:5 — Word Study
WLCאֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם בְּמוֹ־ פִ֑י וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃
BSABut I would encourage youʼâmats▸ [strengthen, give courage to] withbᵉmôw my mouthpeh and the consolationnîyd△ [solace, comfort] of my lipssâphâh [words, language] would bring reliefchâsak▸ [relieve, assuage, ease your grief, comfort]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם | I will strengthen you | Verb piel imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| בְּמוֹ־ | with | Preposition |
| פִ֑י | mouth my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְנִ֖יד | and [the] condolence of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| שְׂפָתַ֣י | lips my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃ | it will restrain | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief. |
| KJV | But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. |
| ASV | But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief. |
| YLT | I might harden you with my mouth, And the moving of my lips might be sparing. |
| WEB | but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you. |
| BBE | I might give you strength with my mouth, and not keep back the comfort of my lips. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of Job's intent — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by a prepositional phrase and a noun phrase that elaborate on how Job intends to offer encouragement.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָשַׂךְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 16:5
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Response to His Friendsgenerated
Job 16:5 reveals Job's intention to encourage his friends despite his own suffering. He contrasts their harsh words with the gentle comfort he wishes to offer, emphasizing the power of speech in times of grief. This moment is part of a larger dialogue where Job articulates his pain and seeks understanding from those around him.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 4:3–4 | Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands. |
| 2 | Job 6:14 | A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Psalm 27:14 | Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD! |
| 5 | Proverbs 27:9–17 | Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם, 'a.'a.mitz.Khemgenerated
The verb אָמֵץ (amatz) means to strengthen or encourage. It is a piel imperfect form, indicating an action of giving strength or courage. Job uses this word to express his desire to uplift his friends, showing that even in his suffering, he wishes to be a source of support.
This verb carries connotations of boldness and determination, suggesting that Job is not only speaking to comfort but also to inspire resilience in his friends. The use of the first person indicates a personal commitment to this act of encouragement.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם as 'I will strengthen you'.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם governs the sentence, indicating Job's intention to encourage. The structure includes a prepositional phrase בְּמוֹ־ פִ֑י (with my mouth) and a noun phrase וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י (the consolation of my lips) that elaborates on how he intends to provide this encouragement.
The order emphasizes Job's personal involvement through his mouth and lips, highlighting the significance of spoken words in offering comfort.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם is rendered as ἰσξὺς (ischys), which means strength or power. This choice reflects a focus on the strength aspect of Job's encouragement, aligning with the overall theme of resilience amidst suffering.
The translation captures the essence of Job's intent to provide not just words, but a source of strength to his friends.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 16:5 shows Job wanting to comfort his friends with his words, despite his own pain. He aims to strengthen them through the solace of his speech, illustrating the importance of supportive communication in difficult times.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is expressing his desire to provide comfort and strength to his friends through his words, despite his own suffering.
Job's willingness to encourage others, even while he is in distress, highlights his compassion and desire to uplift those around him.
The term 'consolation' emphasizes the soothing effect of Job's words, indicating that he aims to alleviate the emotional pain of his friends.
By mentioning 'the consolation of my lips', Job underscores the power of spoken words to provide comfort and relief to those who are hurting.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I use my words to encourage others who are suffering?
- How can I find strength in my own struggles to support those around me?
- What role does consolation play in my relationships with friends and family?
- How can I be more aware of the impact of my speech on others' emotional well-being?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 16:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[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
Read John Gill on Job 16 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBut 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).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 16 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleStrengthen 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.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 16 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 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…
Read John Trapp on Job 16 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 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.
Read AdamClarke on Job 16 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. 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.
Read Cambridge on Job 16 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible(But I would strengthen you with my mouth With that which proceeds from the mouth - words.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 16 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
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. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.
But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Tyndale line
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.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage your grief.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief .
But I woulde strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips should asswage your sorowe.
Strictly literal
[But] I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage [your pain].
I might harden you with my mouth, And the moving of my lips might be sparing.
I might harden you with my mouth, || And the moving of my lips might be sparing.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the condolence of my lips should restrain [your grief].
I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the quivering of my lips will bring you relief!
From the Latin
I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.
Simplified
I could build you up by my mouth speaking words; the movement of my lips would ease your pain.
I might give you strength with my mouth, and not keep back the comfort of my lips.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show agreement in the core message of Job 16:5, with five of the six words matching. This consistency indicates that the central themes of encouragement and consolation are preserved across these texts.
אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם בְּמוֹ־ פִ֑י וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 16:5
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמֵץ (amats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong, bold, or alert. It encompasses a range of actions such as strengthening oneself, being determined, and exhibiting courage. The word can also imply making firm or obstinate. Various forms of the verb express different nuances, including the Qal (to be strong), Piel (to strengthen), and Hithpael (to make oneself alert).
[אָמֵץ] vb. be stout, strong, bold, alert
Qal
be strong
Imv. be bold
Pi.
make firm, strengthen
assure, secure for oneself
harden, make obstinate
Hithp.
strengthen oneself
confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined
make oneself alert, make haste
Hiph. exhibit strength, be strong
base
H553 אָמֵץ be stout, strong, bold, alert .. be strong
. Imv. be bold
. . make firm, strengthen
. assure, secure for oneself
. harden, make obstinate
. . strengthen oneself
. confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined
. make oneself alert, make haste
. exhibit strength, be strong
553 'amats aw-mats'
a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or
mentally (in courage):--confirm, be courageous (of good
courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish,
fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make
strong (obstinate, speed).
אָמֵץ (a.mats) — to strengthen.
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
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb piel imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVpi1cs/Sp2mp
The Hebrew word בְּמוֹ (*bemo*) is a poetic form meaning 'in,' 'with,' or 'by.' It serves as a prolongation of the prepositional prefix בְּ (*be*), indicating location or accompaniment. The entries consistently describe its usage in a similar context without significant disagreement.
בְּמוֹ poet. for בְּ
base
H1119 בְּמוֹ poet. for בְּ
1119 bmow bem-o'
prolongation for prepositional prefix; in, with, by,
etc.:--for, in into, through.
בְּמוֹ (be.mo) — in/at/by.
in, at, by
Prep — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: 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
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
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
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
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
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
נִיד (niyd) refers to a quivering motion of the lips, primarily associated with speech. It is derived from the root word נָדַד (nādad), meaning to move. The term appears in Job 16:5, where it is used in a context related to solace.
נִיד n.m. quivering motion of lips;—only cstr. Jb 16:5
ref
H5205 נִיד
5205 niyd need
from 5110; motion (of the lips in speech):--moving.
see HEBREW for 05110
נִיד (nid) — solace.
quivering (motion) of lips
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.
שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge
lip
language
edge: shore of sea; bank of river
base
H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip
. language
. edge: shore of sea; bank of river
8193 saphah saw-faw'
or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from
5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by
analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,
bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,
prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
see HEBREW for 05595
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 05490
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.
: 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)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.
: words/language
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)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.
: edge/border/opening
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)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.
: shore/bank(of_sea/river)
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)
N-fd | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
חָשַׂךְ (chasak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to withhold or refrain. It encompasses actions like restraining, keeping back, and sparing, with nuances of preserving and holding in check. The word appears in various forms, including Qal and Niphal, indicating both active and passive meanings. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its definitions.
חָשַׂךְ vb. withhold, refrain
Qal
withhold, keep back, keep for oneself
keep one from evil, calamity
hold in check
refrain
spare
reserve for
(abs.) restrain, check (pain) i.e. assuage
Niph. at the day of calamity the wicked is spared
base
H2820 חָשַׂךְ withhold, refrain
2820 chasak khaw-sak'
a primitive root; to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by
implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; also (by interch.
with 2821) to observe:--assuage, X darken, forbear, hinder,
hold back, keep (back), punish, refrain, reserve, spare,
withhold.
see HEBREW for 02821
חָשַׂךְ (cha.sakh) — to withhold.
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
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms