Job 35:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So Iyov is being futile when he opens his mouth; he is piling up words without knowledge."

Berean Standard Bible:

So Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge.”

American Standard Version:

Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vanity; He multiplieth words without knowledge.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Therefore doth Job^{H347} open^{H6475} his mouth^{H6310} in vain^{H1892}; he multiplieth^{H3527} words^{H4405} without^{H1097} knowledge^{H1847}.

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Commentary for Job 35:16

Job 35:16 is a part of the dialogue within the Book of Job, which is found in the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The verse is spoken by Elihu, one of Job's friends who comes to offer his perspective on Job's suffering. The Book of Job deals with the age-old question of why the righteous suffer and addresses themes of theodicy, faith, and the nature of divine justice.

In this particular verse, Elihu is critical of Job, suggesting that Job's speeches are empty and devoid of true understanding. Elihu accuses Job of speaking excessively without genuine knowledge, implying that Job's protestations of innocence and complaints against God are futile. This reflects a broader theme in the Book of Job, where the limitations of human wisdom are contrasted with the inscrutability of divine wisdom. Elihu's intervention represents a younger person's perspective, challenging not only Job but also his three elder friends, who have failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for Job's suffering.

The historical context of the Book of Job is uncertain, with scholars dating its composition anywhere from the second millennium BCE to around the fifth century BCE. It is set in the patriarchal period, reflecting a time when the Israelites were still developing their understanding of God and divine justice. The narrative is likely a literary work rather than a historical account, and it serves as a philosophical and theological exploration of the problem of evil and human suffering.

In summary, Job 35:16 captures the essence of Elihu's critique of Job, highlighting the tension between human suffering and the quest for divine understanding. It underscores the limitations of human wisdom in the face of God's omniscience and the complexity of divine plans, themes that are central to the Book of Job's exploration of faith in the midst of unjustified suffering.

*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: H347
   There are 2478 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִיּוֹב
   Transliteration: ʼÎyôwb
   Pronunciation: ee-yobe'
   Description: from אָיַב; hated (i.e. persecuted); Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience; Job.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6475
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּצָה
   Transliteration: pâtsâh
   Pronunciation: paw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to rend, i.e. open (especially the mouth); deliver, gape, open, rid, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; 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), [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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1892
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הֶבֶל
   Transliteration: hebel
   Pronunciation: heh'bel
   Description: or (rarely in the abs.) הֲבֵל; from הָבַל; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb; [idiom] altogether, vain, vanity.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3527
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבַר
   Transliteration: kâbar
   Pronunciation: kaw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plait together, i.e. (figuratively) to augment (especially in number or quantity, to accumulate); in abundance, multiply.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4405
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִלָּה
   Transliteration: millâh
   Pronunciation: mil-law'
   Description: from מָלַל (plural masculine as if from מִלֶּה; a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic; [phrase] answer, by-word, matter, any thing (what) to say, to speak(-ing), speak, talking, word.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1097
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּלִי
   Transliteration: bᵉlîy
   Pronunciation: bel-ee'
   Description: from בָּלָה; properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.; corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1847
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דַּעַת
   Transliteration: daʻath
   Pronunciation: dah'-ath
   Description: from יָדַע; knowledge; cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly).