Job 16:4

I also, like you, might speak, || If your soul were in my soul’s stead. I might join against you with words, || And nod at you with my head.

Literal Standard Version

In The King James Version

I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

In Context

3Is there an end to words of wind? Or what emboldens you that you answer?

5I might harden you with my mouth, || And the moving of my lips might be sparing.

Read all of Job 16

Cross References

Job 6:2“O that my provocation were thoroughly weighed, || And my calamity in balances || They would lift up together!

Job 11:2“Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?

Psalms 22:7All beholding Me mock at Me, || They make free with the lip—shake the head,

Psalms 44:14You make us an allegory among nations, || A shaking of the head among peoples.

Proverbs 10:19In the abundance of words transgression does not cease, || And whoever is restraining his lips [is] wise.

Jeremiah 18:16To make their land become a desolation, || A continuous hissing, || Everyone passing by it is astonished, || And bemoans with his head.

Matthew Henry on Job 16:2-6

The Reply of Job to Eliphaz. ( b. c. 1520.) 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. 3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? 4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. 5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief. Both Job and his friends took the same way that disputants commonly… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Job 16:4