Job 35:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Job 35:16, Elihu, the youngest and most assertive of Job's interlocutors, delivers a scathing indictment of Job's prolonged and passionate laments. He accuses Job of speaking without genuine understanding or divine insight, dismissing his extensive arguments as empty rhetoric devoid of true knowledge concerning God's ways and justice. This verse encapsulates Elihu's conviction that Job's words are not only futile but also presumptuous, stemming from a flawed human perspective that fails to grasp the infinite wisdom and righteousness of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 35:16 is positioned within Elihu's third speech, specifically in the latter part of the Book of Job, following the failed attempts of Job's three older friends to convince him of his sin. Elihu, who has patiently waited for his turn to speak (as noted in [Job 32:6-7](/job/32-6 "Job 32:6-7 - Elihu's Claim to Speak")), positions himself as having a superior understanding, claiming divine inspiration and a fresh perspective that both Job and his friends lack. His primary aim is to defend God's absolute righteousness and justice against Job's persistent claims of innocence and implied accusations of divine injustice. In this particular chapter, Elihu argues that God is too exalted to be affected by human sin or righteousness, thus rendering Job's suffering not a consequence of divine oversight or injustice, but perhaps a means of instruction or discipline. He views Job's repeated expressions of self-justification and his desire to contend with God as a demonstration of ignorance, culminating in the sharp rebuke of this verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set within an ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, where the pursuit of understanding divine order and human suffering was paramount. In this cultural milieu, wisdom was highly valued, often associated with age and experience, yet Elihu challenges this norm by asserting his youthful insight. The prevailing theological framework, often referred to as retribution theology, posited a direct correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering. Job's friends, and to a degree Elihu, operate within this framework, struggling to reconcile Job's apparent righteousness with his immense suffering. The act of "opening one's mouth" in ancient cultures carried significant weight, signifying the utterance of judgment, wisdom, or a formal declaration. Elihu's accusation that Job speaks "in vain" and "without knowledge" is therefore a profound cultural insult, challenging Job's wisdom, integrity, and even his spiritual standing within this framework of divine accountability.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **futility of human arguments against God**, especially when those arguments are based on limited understanding. Elihu asserts that Job's extensive complaints are baseless because they stem from a finite human perspective incapable of grasping God's infinite wisdom and justice, a concept echoed in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher Than Ours"). Secondly, the verse underscores the critical distinction between **superficial speech and genuine knowledge**. Elihu dismisses Job's lengthy speeches, filled with lament and self-defense, as mere talk without true insight into the divine plan or purpose behind his suffering, emphasizing that true wisdom is not merely the accumulation of words but the possession of profound understanding. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's unquestionable sovereignty and justice**, portraying Him as utterly beyond human critique. Elihu implies that questioning God, as Job has done, is a sign of profound ignorance rather than wisdom, setting the stage for God's ultimate intervention in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vain (Hebrew, _shav'_):** This term signifies emptiness, falsehood, futility, or worthlessness. It is famously used in the commandment not to take the Lord's name "in vain" ([Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - Do Not Misuse the Lord's Name")), implying speech that is empty, meaningless, or even blasphemous. Elihu's accusation suggests that Job's words are not only without substance but are also presumptuous and disrespectful towards God, lacking any true benefit or insight.
* **Multiplieth (Hebrew, _yirbeh'_):** Derived from the verb "to be many" or "to increase," this word emphasizes the sheer volume and repetition of Job's words. Elihu is not merely saying Job speaks, but that he speaks excessively, redundantly, and without pause. This highlights the perceived futility of Job's lengthy monologues, suggesting that their quantity does not equate to quality or wisdom.
* **Knowledge (Hebrew, _da'at'_):** This term denotes understanding, discernment, and insight, particularly in a theological or moral sense. It refers to a deep, experiential acquaintance with truth, often concerning God's character and ways. Elihu's charge that Job speaks "without knowledge" is a severe indictment, implying a fundamental lack of comprehension regarding divine justice, the purpose of suffering, and God's ultimate sovereignty. It suggests that Job's intellectual arguments are disconnected from true spiritual insight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain":** Elihu concludes that based on Job's preceding arguments, his speech is utterly pointless and without substance. The phrase "open his mouth" signifies the act of speaking formally or making a declaration, and Elihu asserts that Job's declarations are empty, achieving nothing and offering no genuine insight or truth. This is a direct challenge to Job's wisdom and the validity of his complaints.
* **"he multiplieth words":** This clause emphasizes the sheer volume and repetition of Job's discourse. Elihu perceives Job's numerous speeches and laments not as a sincere outpouring of pain or a legitimate search for understanding, but as an excessive and redundant stream of language. It suggests a lack of conciseness and a tendency to overstate his case without adding new or meaningful content.
* **"without knowledge":** This final, damning phrase delivers the core of Elihu's criticism. It means that Job's extensive words are not merely empty or numerous, but fundamentally devoid of true understanding or discernment, especially concerning God's nature, His dealings with humanity, and the complexities of suffering. Elihu believes Job's arguments are rooted in ignorance rather than wisdom, making them ultimately worthless in the face of divine truth.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's statement in Job 35:16 employs several literary devices to convey his sharp critique. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, as Elihu exaggerates the futility of Job's speech by claiming he speaks "in vain" and "without knowledge," suggesting an absolute absence of value or insight. While Job's laments are certainly heartfelt, Elihu's choice of words aims to diminish their credibility entirely. There is also an element of **Contrast** at play, setting Job's "multiplied words" against the implied lack of "knowledge," highlighting the disconnect between the quantity of speech and its quality or wisdom. Furthermore, the verse uses **Condemnation** as a rhetorical strategy, directly accusing Job and framing his entire discourse as fundamentally flawed and presumptuous. This serves to elevate Elihu's own perceived wisdom and authority in the ongoing debate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elihu's accusation in Job 35:16, while not the final divine word on Job's suffering, raises profound theological questions about the nature of human speech in the face of divine mystery. It challenges the presumption that human reason can fully comprehend or critique God's actions, especially concerning suffering. The verse implicitly champions a theology of divine transcendence and inscrutability, suggesting that true wisdom lies in acknowledging God's infinite knowledge and our finite capacity. It prompts reflection on whether our words, particularly in times of trial, are rooted in genuine understanding and humble submission, or whether they become mere expressions of frustration and limited perspective, echoing the broader biblical emphasis on the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.

* [Proverbs 10:19](/proverbs/10-19 "Proverbs 10:19 - The Danger of Many Words")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher Than Ours")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elihu's sharp critique of Job's "multiplied words without knowledge" serves as a poignant reminder for believers navigating their own seasons of suffering and doubt. While Elihu's human perspective is ultimately incomplete, his words compel us to examine the nature of our own discourse, particularly when we wrestle with God's providence. In moments of pain, it is natural to question and lament, but this verse cautions against allowing our words to become presumptuous, self-justifying, or devoid of a humble recognition of God's infinite wisdom. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, acknowledging the limits of our understanding, and to seek true knowledge that flows from a reverent relationship with God rather than from our own limited reasoning. Our aim should be to speak words that are seasoned with grace and truth, even in our deepest anguish, trusting that God's purposes are always just, even when they are beyond our immediate comprehension.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own words, especially during times of trial or confusion, be "multiplied without knowledge"?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of humility and reverence when wrestling with difficult questions about God's will or actions?**
* **What is the difference between honest lament before God and presumptuous speech that lacks true understanding?**
* **How does seeking genuine knowledge of God's character impact the way I speak about my circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Is Elihu's assessment of Job accurate?**

Answer:From Elihu's perspective, his assessment is accurate, as he believes Job has spoken presumptuously against God and multiplied words without true understanding of divine justice. However, the broader narrative of the Book of Job, particularly God's direct address in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job"), complicates Elihu's judgment. While God does rebuke Job for speaking "without knowledge" ([Job 38:2](/job/38-2 "Job 38:2 - God's Rebuke to Job")), He also ultimately affirms Job's righteousness more than his friends' arguments ([Job 42:7-8](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7-8 - God's Rebuke to Job's Friends")). Elihu's words contain elements of truth regarding human limitations, but they do not fully capture the complexity of Job's suffering or God's ultimate vindication of Job's integrity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Elihu's accusation against Job—that he "multiplies words without knowledge"—finds its ultimate resolution and counterpoint in the person of Jesus Christ. In a world where human wisdom is often foolishness before God ([1 Corinthians 1:20](/1_corinthians/1-20 "1 Corinthians 1:20 - The Wisdom of God and the Wisdom of the World")), Christ embodies the very **wisdom of God** itself. He is the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). Unlike Job, who struggled to comprehend God's ways and multiplied words in his limited understanding, Jesus perfectly understood and perfectly revealed the Father. Our attempts at self-justification, like Job's, are ultimately "in vain" and "without knowledge" because true righteousness and understanding do not come from our own arguments or wisdom, but are freely given through faith in Christ, who became for us "wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")). In Him, our futile words are silenced, and we receive the true knowledge of God, not through our own merit, but through His perfect revelation and atoning sacrifice.

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

Job 38:2

Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Job 34:35

Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom.

Job 34:37

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

Job 33:8

¶ Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying],

Job 33:12

Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

Job 3:1

¶ After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

Job 33:2

Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.