Job 16:20

KJV

My friends scorn me: [but] mine eye poureth out [tears] unto God.

KJV (with Strong's)

My friends {H7453} scorn {H3887} me: but mine eye {H5869} poureth out {H1811} tears unto God {H433}.

Complete Jewish Bible

With friends like these as intercessors, my eyes pour out tears to God,

Berean Standard Bible

My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God.

American Standard Version

My friends scoff at me: But mine eye poureth out tears unto God,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 16:20 encapsulates Job's profound spiritual isolation and unwavering, albeit anguished, faith amidst intense suffering. Feeling utterly abandoned and mocked by his human companions, who have become accusers rather than comforters, Job turns directly to God, expressing his raw grief and desperate plea for divine vindication through an unceasing flow of tears. This verse poignantly highlights the paradox of Job's experience: human betrayal drives him deeper into the presence of God, demonstrating a faith that persists even when misunderstood by both man and, seemingly, by God Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 16:20 is situated within Job's third cycle of speeches, specifically his response to Eliphaz's second speech in [Job 15](/job/15 "Job 15 - Eliphaz's Second Speech"). At this point in the narrative, the dialogue between Job and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—has devolved into a repetitive cycle of accusation and defense. Job's friends continue to assert that his suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin, urging him to confess and repent. Job, however, steadfastly maintains his innocence, lamenting their harsh judgment and the inadequacy of their "comfort." [Job 16](/job/16 "Job 16 - Job's Lament and Appeal to God") as a whole is a powerful expression of Job's despair over his friends' betrayal, his physical agony, and his profound sense of abandonment. Verse 20 serves as a pivot, marking a shift from Job's lament over human treachery to a direct, intimate appeal to God, foreshadowing his later desire for a divine arbiter or witness, as expressed in [Job 16:21](/job/16-21 "Job 16:21 - Job's Plea for an Advocate").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location whose precise geographical identity remains debated but is generally considered to be outside of Israel, perhaps in Edom or northern Arabia. This setting suggests a wisdom tradition that transcends a purely Israelite context, dealing with universal questions of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, friendship and hospitality were highly valued, and the act of visiting a suffering friend to offer comfort was a significant social obligation. The failure of Job's friends to provide genuine solace, and their subsequent transformation into accusers, would have been a profound cultural betrayal, intensifying Job's isolation. Furthermore, the prevailing retribution theology of the era, which posited a direct correlation between sin and suffering, heavily influenced the friends' arguments. Job's experience challenges this simplistic understanding, pushing against the cultural norms of explaining suffering solely as divine punishment. His weeping before God, while deeply personal, also reflects a common ancient practice of lament, where individuals would express their grief and appeal for justice to their deity.

* **Key Themes:** Job 16:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **human inadequacy and betrayal**. Job's friends, initially symbols of comfort, become instruments of his torment, their "scorn" highlighting the limitations and failures of human wisdom and empathy in the face of profound, inexplicable suffering. This is a recurring motif, contrasting human judgment with divine mystery, as seen in [Job 4-5](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") and [Job 8](/job/8 "Job 8 - Bildad's First Speech"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes Job's **profound isolation**. Stripped of family, wealth, health, and now the understanding of his closest companions, Job is left utterly alone, a condition that drives him to seek solace where it can truly be found. Thirdly, and most crucially, it exemplifies the theme of **unwavering faith amidst lament**. Despite the depth of his despair and the perceived abandonment by both man and, at times, God, Job does not turn away from the Almighty. Instead, his "eye poureth out [tears] unto God," demonstrating that authentic faith can express itself through raw, honest lament and direct appeal to God, even when one feels misunderstood or unjustly afflicted, echoing the desperate yet faithful cry in [Job 10:1](/job/10-1 "Job 10:1 - Job's Anguished Plea"). This act of pouring out his heart to God signifies Job's persistent reliance on God as his ultimate refuge and advocate, even when he feels God is against him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scorn (Hebrew, _lā·ṣaṣ'_):** This verb, often translated as "to mock," "to deride," or "to scoff," carries a strong connotation of contempt and open disdain. In the context of Job 16:20, it highlights the cruel and dismissive attitude of Job's friends, who are not merely disagreeing with him but actively treating his suffering and his claims of innocence with derision. It implies a deliberate attempt to belittle and invalidate Job's experience, adding psychological torment to his physical pain. The use of this word emphasizes the profound betrayal Job feels, as those who should have offered empathy instead offer scorn.
* **poureth out (Hebrew, _dā·lə·pāh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to drip" or "to leak," this verb vividly portrays an unceasing, uncontrolled flow of tears. It suggests a torrent of grief that cannot be contained, an overwhelming sorrow that manifests physically. Unlike a gentle shedding of tears, "poureth out" conveys the intensity and abundance of Job's anguish, indicating that his weeping is not a momentary display but a continuous, deeply felt expression of his profound distress and lament before God. It signifies a complete emotional outpouring, unreserved and raw.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My friends scorn me":** This clause immediately establishes the source of Job's acute emotional pain: the very individuals who came to comfort him have turned into his tormentors. The word "scorn" (as analyzed above) conveys not just disagreement but active mockery and contempt, highlighting the profound betrayal and isolation Job experiences. His human support system has not only failed him but actively exacerbated his suffering through their judgmental and derisive accusations, leaving him utterly alone in his misery.
* **"[but] mine eye poureth out [tears] unto God":** This second clause presents a powerful contrast and pivot. Despite the abandonment and scorn of his friends, Job does not turn inward in despair or outward in bitterness against humanity. Instead, his anguish, symbolized by the "poured out tears," is directed "unto God." This signifies an unwavering, albeit desperate, faith. His tears are not merely an expression of sorrow but a form of lament, a direct appeal, and an act of worship, demonstrating that even when all human avenues fail, God remains the ultimate refuge and recipient of his deepest cries. The parenthetical "but" in the KJV correctly captures the adversative nature of this clause, emphasizing Job's defiant turning to God in the face of human rejection.

#### Literary Devices
Job 16:20 is rich in **Contrast** and **Imagery**. The most prominent device is the stark **Contrast** between the actions of Job's "friends" and Job's own response. While his human companions "scorn" him, Job's "eye poureth out tears unto God." This highlights the inadequacy of human comfort versus the enduring accessibility of the divine. The friends represent human failure and judgmentalism, while Job's tears represent raw, honest faith and persistent appeal to a higher power. Furthermore, the phrase "mine eye poureth out [tears]" is a powerful example of **Hyperbole** and **Metonymy**. It is hyperbole in that it suggests an unceasing, overflowing stream of tears, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of Job's grief. It is metonymy because "mine eye" stands in for Job himself, indicating that his entire being is consumed by this sorrow and directed towards God. The image of "poured out tears" also functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just physical weeping but an unreserved emotional and spiritual outpouring, a lament that serves as a direct, intimate prayer to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 16:20 profoundly illustrates the nature of authentic faith in the crucible of suffering, particularly when human comfort fails. It reveals that true piety is not a stoic suppression of pain but an honest, even anguished, pouring out of one's heart to God. This verse challenges the simplistic retribution theology prevalent in Job's time and among his friends, demonstrating that suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin, and that God's justice operates on a plane far beyond human comprehension. The act of turning to God in lament, even when feeling abandoned by Him, underscores the unique and intimate relationship between the believer and the Creator, where raw emotion is not only permitted but becomes a pathway to deeper communion and trust in divine sovereignty. It teaches that God is accessible even in the deepest pits of despair, and that a cry of anguish can be as much an act of faith as a prayer of thanksgiving.

* [Psalm 62:8](/psalms/62-8 "Psalm 62:8 - Trust in God at All Times")
* [Psalm 56:8](/psalms/56-8 "Psalm 56:8 - God Records Our Tears")
* [Lamentations 2:19](/lamentations/2-19 "Lamentations 2:19 - Pour Out Your Heart Like Water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 16:20 offers a profound blueprint for navigating moments of extreme isolation and betrayal. It reminds us that while human relationships are vital, they are ultimately fallible. Friends, family, or even the wider community may fail to understand our pain, offer misguided advice, or, like Job's companions, actively cause further distress through their judgment and scorn. In such moments, the verse provides a powerful directive: turn directly to God. Job's "poured out tears" are not a sign of weakness but an act of profound faith—an honest, unreserved lament offered to the only One who truly sees, understands, and can ultimately vindicate. This teaches us that expressing our raw emotions, our grief, our confusion, and our pain to God is not only permissible but essential for spiritual health. It is an act of trust, acknowledging His sovereignty and compassion even when His ways are inscrutable. This verse encourages us to cultivate a direct, unmediated relationship with God, finding in Him the ultimate refuge and advocate when all human avenues of comfort and justice prove insufficient.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when those closest to you misunderstand or betray your trust during a time of suffering?**
* **In what ways do you "pour out your tears" (or your deepest emotions) to God when you feel isolated or unjustly treated?**
* **What does Job's example teach us about the nature of lament as an act of faith, rather than a sign of weakness?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper, more honest relationship with God, allowing ourselves to be fully vulnerable before Him, even when we feel He is distant or silent?**

### FAQ

**Why did Job's friends scorn him, and what does this reveal about their understanding of suffering?**

Answer: Job's friends scorned him because they adhered to a rigid retribution theology, believing that all suffering was a direct consequence of sin. Since Job was suffering immensely, they concluded he must have committed some great, unconfessed sin. They saw his refusal to confess as stubbornness or hypocrisy, and their "scorn" was their judgmental response to his perceived unrighteousness. This reveals their limited and often cruel understanding of suffering, which failed to account for innocent suffering, divine testing, or the mysterious ways of God. Their counsel, rather than offering comfort, became a source of additional pain for Job, highlighting the inadequacy of human wisdom when confronted with the complexities of God's dealings with humanity, a theme explored throughout [the dialogues in Job](/job "The Book of Job").

**Is it acceptable for believers to express such raw emotion and lament to God, as Job did?**

Answer: Absolutely. Job's example, along with numerous passages in the Psalms and the prophetic books, demonstrates that expressing raw emotion, grief, anger, and lament to God is not only acceptable but a vital aspect of a healthy faith. The Bible is replete with examples of individuals pouring out their hearts to God in times of distress. [Psalm 62:8](/psalms/62-8 "Psalm 62:8 - Trust in God at All Times") explicitly encourages believers to "pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." This act of honest lament acknowledges God's sovereignty and compassion, trusting that He is big enough to handle our deepest pain and that He genuinely cares for His children, even when they feel abandoned or misunderstood. It is an act of faith that refuses to turn away from God, even in the midst of profound suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 16:20, with its poignant depiction of a righteous sufferer scorned by his friends yet turning to God in tears, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job's experience of betrayal and isolation, culminating in a desperate appeal to God, foreshadows the perfect Sufferer who would endure far greater scorn and abandonment. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). His closest disciples abandoned Him in His hour of greatest need ([Matthew 26:56](/matthew/26-56 "Matthew 26:56 - Disciples Flee")), and He was mocked and scorned by religious leaders and Roman soldiers alike ([Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus Mocked by Soldiers")). Yet, in His deepest agony, particularly in Gethsemane, Jesus "offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death" ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Tears")). His lament on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes Job's cry of abandonment, yet it was a cry of perfect obedience and trust, fulfilling the Father's will for the redemption of humanity. Thus, Job's tears poured out to God find their ultimate meaning in Christ's tears and suffering, which were not for His own sin, but for ours, establishing Him as our perfect High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Our Sympathetic High Priest")). He is the true advocate to whom we can pour out our hearts, knowing He fully understands and intercedes for us ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Our Intercessor")).

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

Psalms 142:2

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Luke 6:11

And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Luke 6:12

¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Psalms 109:4

For my love they are my adversaries: but I [give myself unto] prayer.

Job 16:4

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.

Job 17:2

[Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?