1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters [are] ye all.
3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
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.
5 [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage [your grief].
6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and [though] I forbear, what am I eased?
7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, [which] is a witness [against me]: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
9 He teareth [me] in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken [me] by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
13 His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.
15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.
16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids [is] the shadow of death;
17 Not for [any] injustice in mine hands: also my prayer [is] pure.
18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
19 Also now, behold, my witness [is] in heaven, and my record [is] on high.
20 My friends scorn me: [but] mine eye poureth out [tears] unto God.
21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man [pleadeth] for his neighbour!
22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way [whence] I shall not return.
Overview of Job Chapter 16
Job Chapter 16 presents a poignant moment in the narrative of Job, a man who has endured immense suffering and loss. This chapter is a continuation of Job’s dialogue with his friends, who have come to offer their perspectives on his afflictions. Job’s responses reflect his deep anguish and frustration, not only with his circumstances but also with the inadequate counsel from his companions.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into several key sections:
- Job’s Response to His Friends (Verses 1-5)
- Job expresses his disappointment with the words of his friends.
- He feels that their attempts to comfort him are futile and insincere.
- Job emphasizes that if the roles were reversed, he would offer genuine support.
- Job’s Lamentation and Plea (Verses 6-14)
- Job describes the weight of his suffering and the silence of God.
- He portrays God as a fierce adversary, highlighting the intensity of his pain.
- Job uses vivid imagery to convey his sense of being attacked and overwhelmed.
- Job’s Assertion of Innocence (Verses 15-17)
- Job declares his innocence, contrasting his integrity with his current suffering.
- He expresses a longing for vindication and justice.
- Job’s Hope in a Redeemer (Verses 18-22)
- Despite his despair, Job expresses a glimmer of hope in a future advocate.
- He yearns for someone to intercede on his behalf before God.
Thematic Elements
Several key themes emerge in this chapter:
- The Nature of Suffering:
Job’s suffering is profound and multifaceted, raising questions about the reasons behind human affliction.
- The Role of Friendship:
Job’s interactions with his friends highlight the complexities of providing comfort and support in times of distress.
- Desire for Justice:
Job’s insistence on his innocence and his longing for vindication reflect a deep yearning for justice in the face of suffering.
- Hope and Redemption:
Despite his despair, Job’s hope for a redeemer suggests a belief in eventual justice and restoration.
Character Analysis
Job emerges as a deeply complex character in this chapter:
- Resilient: Job continues to express his feelings despite the pain, showcasing his resilience.
- Honest: His candidness about his suffering and feelings towards God and his friends illustrates his integrity.
- Seeking Understanding: Job’s desire for an explanation for his suffering indicates his quest for meaning in his trials.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 16 is a powerful exploration of human suffering, the inadequacies of friendship in times of crisis, and the enduring hope for justice and redemption. Job’s dialogue serves as a profound reflection on the nature of faith amidst despair, making it a pivotal moment in the Book of Job.
