Job 11:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

Complete Jewish Bible:

I wish that God would speak, would open his mouth to answer you,

Berean Standard Bible:

But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,

American Standard Version:

But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{H199} oh that^{H5414} God^{H433} would speak^{H1696}, and open^{H6605} his lips^{H8193} against thee;

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Job 11:5

Job 11:5 is a verse from the Book of Job, which is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The book is traditionally ascribed to the authorship of Moses, although modern scholarship often dates its composition to a later period, possibly around the 6th century BCE. The Book of Job deals with the problem of theodicy, the question of why a just God permits the suffering of the innocent.

In the verse, "But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;", the speaker is Zophar the Naamathite, one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him in his suffering. Zophar is responding to Job's lamentations and challenges to God's justice. The verse reflects the theme of retributive justice, which is prevalent in the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition. Zophar is essentially wishing that God Himself would directly rebuke Job, implying that Job's suffering is a result of personal sin and that he would be silenced by the divine authority if God were to speak.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the belief that there is a direct correlation between sin and suffering; that is, people suffer because they have sinned against God. Zophar's statement is an expression of this theology, which is challenged and explored throughout the Book of Job. The book as a whole questions and ultimately critiques this simplistic understanding of retribution, suggesting that human beings cannot always understand the ways of God, and that suffering is not necessarily a sign of divine punishment.

In summary, Job 11:5 encapsulates the tension between the traditional view of retributive justice and the complex reality of human suffering. Zophar's words reflect a common ancient belief that suffering is a consequence of sin, and he calls for divine intervention to prove his point. However, the Book of Job, as a whole, moves beyond this perspective to grapple with the deeper mysteries of faith, the justice of God, and the human condition.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H199
   There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוּלָם
   Transliteration: ʼûwlâm
   Pronunciation: oo-lawm'
   Description: apparently a variation of אוּלַי; however or on the contrary; as for, but, howbeit, in very deed, surely, truly, wherefore.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H433
   There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלוֹהַּ
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôwahh
   Pronunciation: el-o'-ah
   Description: rarely (shortened) אֱלֹהַּ; probably prolonged (emphatic) from אֵל; a deity or the Deity; God, god. See אֱלֹהִים.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8193
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂפָה
   Transliteration: sâphâh
   Pronunciation: saw-faw'
   Description: or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from סָפָה or שָׁפָה through the idea of termination (compare סוֹף); 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.