Job 15:5

KJV

For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thy mouth {H6310} uttereth {H502} thine iniquity {H5771}, and thou choosest {H977} the tongue {H3956} of the crafty {H6175}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your iniquity is teaching you how to speak, and deceit is your language of choice.

Berean Standard Bible

For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.

American Standard Version

For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 15:5 presents Eliphaz the Temanite's harsh accusation against Job, asserting that Job's very words betray his hidden sin and that he deliberately employs a "crafty tongue." This verse encapsulates the friends' unwavering conviction that Job's immense suffering must be a direct consequence of his iniquity, interpreting his passionate laments and self-defense not as cries of anguish from a righteous man, but as cunning attempts to conceal guilt, thereby intensifying the theological and personal conflict within the narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Eliphaz’s second speech (Job 15:1-35), which is notably more aggressive and accusatory than his first. Following Job's lament in [Job 14](/job/14 "Job 14 - Job's Lament on the Brevity of Life"), Eliphaz responds with frustration and condemnation, perceiving Job's refusal to confess sin as stubbornness and even defiance. Job 15:5 marks a direct personal attack, moving beyond general theological principles to directly impugn Job's character through his speech. This escalation deepens the dramatic tension, as the friends' rigid adherence to retribution theology clashes sharply with Job's experience of inexplicable suffering and his insistence on his innocence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set within an ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, where a prevalent belief was that divine justice operated on a strict principle of retribution: righteousness led to prosperity, while wickedness inevitably resulted in suffering. This worldview profoundly shaped the friends' interpretation of Job's calamities. In this cultural milieu, words were considered potent and often seen as a direct reflection of one's inner character and moral standing. Therefore, Eliphaz's accusation that Job's "mouth uttereth thine iniquity" would have been a profoundly serious charge, implying that Job's very utterances were a self-condemnation, aligning with the cultural understanding that speech revealed the heart.
* **Key Themes:**
* **The Accusation of Guilt:** Eliphaz directly charges Job with revealing his own "iniquity" through his words, reinforcing the friends' unwavering belief that Job's suffering is a direct consequence of his sin. This illustrates their flawed understanding of divine justice, where they assume Job's utterances betray a hidden wickedness, a theme consistent with Eliphaz's earlier pronouncements that [those who sow trouble reap it](/job/4-8 "Job 4:8 - Eliphaz's Retribution Theology").
* **The Power and Peril of Speech:** The verse emphasizes how speech is perceived as a mirror to one's character. Eliphaz claims Job's "mouth uttereth" his sin and that he "choosest the tongue of the crafty," suggesting a deliberate and deceptive use of words. This highlights the biblical understanding that words are not neutral but carry immense power, reflecting the heart's condition, a concept explored further in passages like [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of Life and Death in the Tongue").
* **Flawed Judgment and Presumption:** Eliphaz's judgmental tone reflects the friends' self-righteous stance and their presumption of superior wisdom. They assume insight into Job's heart and God's purposes, failing to grasp the complexity of suffering or the true nature of Job's integrity, which is a central theme explored throughout the book of [Job](/job/1 "Job 1 - Introduction to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _‘avon_):** This term carries a strong sense of perversity, moral crookedness, guilt, or the punishment due to sin. Eliphaz is not merely suggesting Job made a mistake, but that his words are a direct manifestation of deep-seated moral corruption or rebellion against God. It implies a deliberate deviation from what is right.
* **Crafty (Hebrew, _‘arum_):** While this word can sometimes have a positive connotation, meaning shrewd or prudent (as in [Proverbs 12:16](/proverbs/12-16 "Proverbs 12:16 - The Prudent Man")), in this context, it is used pejoratively. It implies cunning, deceit, or malicious intent. Eliphaz accuses Job of deliberately employing manipulative or deceptive speech to avoid admitting his supposed guilt, aligning with his view of Job's words as a calculated attempt to mislead.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity":** Eliphaz asserts that Job's very speech—his laments, protests of innocence, and arguments—is not an innocent expression of pain but rather an involuntary revelation of his hidden sin and guilt. The act of speaking becomes, in Eliphaz's view, a confession of moral failure, suggesting that Job's inner corruption is exposed through his words.
* **"and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty":** This clause intensifies the accusation, implying that Job's speech is not merely a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate, calculated act. Eliphaz accuses Job of consciously selecting and employing cunning, manipulative, or deceptive language, suggesting a willful attempt to obscure his true condition or to argue against what Eliphaz perceives as divine justice.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its sharp accusation. **Personification** is evident as the "mouth" is depicted as an active agent that "uttereth" (speaks forth) iniquity, giving human-like agency to a body part to reveal an internal state. This is further reinforced by **Metonymy**, where "mouth" and "tongue" stand in for Job's entire verbal output and, by extension, his character as it is revealed through his speech. The entire verse functions as a direct **Accusation**, characteristic of the confrontational dialogue throughout the book of Job, utilizing a strong, condemning tone to undermine Job's integrity and invalidate his claims of innocence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Eliphaz's accusation in Job 15:5, though ultimately proven false in the context of Job's righteousness, reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding that one's words are a direct window into the soul, and that suffering is always a consequence of sin. While the friends' rigid application of this retribution theology to Job is flawed, the underlying biblical principle that speech reveals character is consistent throughout Scripture. This verse highlights the perilous nature of the tongue and the ease with which human judgment can misinterpret divine action and the suffering of others. It underscores the profound tension between human attempts to explain suffering and the often mysterious ways of God, reminding us of the danger of presuming to know God's full counsel.

* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of Life and Death in the Tongue")
* [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks")
* [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 15:5, though an erroneous accusation against a righteous man, offers profound lessons for us regarding the nature of our speech, the pitfalls of judgment, and the necessity of empathy. Firstly, it compels us to engage in honest introspection about our own words. Do our words truly reflect a heart committed to truth, love, and integrity, or do they sometimes betray hidden motives, bitterness, or a desire to manipulate situations or people? The Bible consistently teaches that the tongue is an incredibly powerful instrument, capable of both immense good and destructive evil. Secondly, this verse serves as a stark warning against the dangers of hasty and self-righteous judgment. Eliphaz, convinced of his own wisdom and operating from a rigid theological framework, misjudged Job's suffering and misinterpreted his words as cunning rather than genuine cries of anguish. We are called to approach those in pain with compassion, humility, and a willingness to listen, rather than to quickly condemn or offer simplistic explanations for complex suffering. It reminds us that true wisdom often involves acknowledging the limits of our understanding and extending grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do my words reflect the true condition of my heart, and what might they reveal about my hidden motives or beliefs?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to judge others' suffering based on incomplete information or flawed theological assumptions?**
* **How can I cultivate a tongue that builds up, speaks truth in love, and offers grace, rather than tearing down or making false accusations?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Eliphaz's accusation in Job 15:5?**

Answer: Eliphaz's accusation is highly significant because it marks a turning point in the friends' approach to Job. While his first speech hinted at general principles of retribution, here he directly accuses Job's speech itself as evidence of his sin. He believes Job's words, intended as a defense, are actually a confession of "iniquity" and a demonstration of his "crafty" nature. This reveals the friends' increasing frustration and their rigid adherence to a retribution theology, where suffering is always a direct punishment for sin, as seen in their general principle in [Job 4:7](/job/4-7 "Job 4:7 - Eliphaz's First Accusation"). It highlights their inability to comprehend innocent suffering and their presumption of knowing God's mind.

**How does this verse contribute to the overall message of the book of Job?**

Answer: Job 15:5 is crucial to the book's overarching message by intensifying the conflict between Job and his friends, further illustrating the inadequacy of their traditional wisdom. It underscores the central theme that suffering is not always a direct result of sin. Eliphaz's mischaracterization of Job's words as "crafty" highlights the friends' flawed judgment and their failure to see Job's integrity, which God Himself affirms at the outset of the book in [Job 1:8](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - God's Testimony of Job's Integrity"). The verse contributes to the dramatic tension, pushing Job further into despair and prompting his continued defense of his righteousness against their relentless accusations, ultimately setting the stage for God's intervention and revelation of a deeper, more mysterious wisdom beginning in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - The Lord Answers Job Out of the Whirlwind").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 15:5 is an unjust accusation leveled against a righteous man, it inadvertently points to a profound biblical truth: the mouth often reveals the heart. This principle finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike Job, who was falsely accused of having a "crafty tongue," Jesus was truly without sin, and His words consistently revealed His perfect righteousness and divine nature. The religious leaders of His day, much like Eliphaz, often accused Jesus of blasphemy or of having a demon, misinterpreting His divine wisdom and authority, as seen in their accusations in [John 8:48](/john/8-48 "John 8:48 - The Jews Accuse Jesus of Being a Samaritan and Having a Demon"). Yet, Jesus Himself declared that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" ([Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks")), and His words were always life-giving, truthful, and full of grace, even when they challenged the status quo. He spoke with unparalleled authority, not as the scribes ([Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")), and His teaching revealed the very heart of God. Furthermore, the "crafty tongue" that Eliphaz accused Job of possessing finds its ultimate antithesis in Christ, who, though innocent, endured the accusations of a "crafty" and fallen world and offered Himself as the blameless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") to atone for the true iniquity of humanity, so that our mouths, once prone to sin, might now "utter" praise and confession of His name ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Belief Lead to Salvation")), reflecting a heart transformed by His grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 9:3

And they bend their tongues [like] their bow [for] lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:5

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Psalms 50:19

Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

Psalms 50:20

Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:8

But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Jeremiah 9:8

Their tongue [is as] an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: [one] speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.