Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Job

Job 16

1 Then Job answered and said,

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 3:2
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Then Job H347 (אִיּוֹב) — Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
  • answered H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
  • and said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)

2 I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are ye all.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 6:6 · Job 6:25 · Job 11:2 · Job 13:4 · Job 19:2 · Job 21:34 · Job 26:2 · Psalms 69:26 · Philippians 1:16
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I have heard H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • many such things H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
  • miserable H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
  • comforters H5162 (נָחַם) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to av…

3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 6:26 · Job 8:2 · Job 15:2 · Job 20:3 · Job 27:12 · Job 32:3 · Matthew 22:46 · Titus 1:11 · Titus 2:8
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Shall vain H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
  • words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
  • have an end H7093 (קֵץ) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
  • or what emboldeneth H4834 (מָרַץ) — properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to be pungent or vehement; to irritate
  • thee that thou answerest H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…

4 I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I also could speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • if H3863 (לוּא) — a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!
  • your soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • were H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
  • in my soul’s H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • stead, I could heap up H2266 (חָבַר) — to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate
  • words H4405 (מִלָּה) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
  • against you, and shake H5128 (נוּעַ) — to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
  • mine head H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
  • at H1119 (בְּמוֹ) — in, with, by, etc.

5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I would strengthen H553 (אָמַץ) — to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
  • you with H1119 (בְּמוֹ) — in, with, by, etc.
  • my mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • and the moving H5205 (נִיד) — motion (of the lips in speech)
  • of my lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
  • should asswage H2820 (חָשַׂךְ) — to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

6 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 10:1 · Psalms 77:1 · Psalms 88:15
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Though I speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • my grief H3511 (כְּאֵב) — suffering (physical or mental), adversity
  • is not asswaged H2820 (חָשַׂךְ) — to restrain or (reflex.) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
  • I forbear H2308 (חָדַל) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
  • what am I eased H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

7 But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But now he hath made me weary H3811 (לָאָה) — to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted
  • thou hast made desolate H8074 (שָׁמֵם) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
  • all my company H5712 (עֵדָה) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

8 And thou hast laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me: And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And thou hast filled me with wrinkles H7059 (קָמַט) — to pluck, i.e. destroy
  • is a witness H5707 (עֵד) — concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince
  • and my leanness H3585 (כַּחַשׁ) — literally a failure of flesh, i.e. emaciation; figuratively, hypocrisy
  • rising up H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
  • in me beareth witness H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
  • to my face H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…

9 He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He teareth H2963 (טָרַף) — to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)
  • in his wrath H639 (אַף) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
  • who hateth H7852 (שָׂטַם) — properly, to lurk for, i.e. persecute
  • me: he gnasheth H2786 (חָרַק) — to grate the teeth
  • upon me with his teeth H8127 (שֵׁן) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
  • mine enemy H6862 (צַר) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in 6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding)
  • sharpeneth H3913 (לָטַשׁ) — properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen
  • his eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They have gaped H6473 (פָּעַר) — to yawn, i.e. open wide (literally or figuratively)
  • upon me with their mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • they have smitten H5221 (נָכָה) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
  • me upon the cheek H3895 (לְחִי) — the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone
  • reproachfully H2781 (חֶרְפָּה) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
  • they have gathered H4390 (מָלֵא) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
  • themselves together H3162 (יַחַד) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly

11 God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • hath delivered H5462 (סָגַר) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
  • me to the ungodly H5760 (עֲוִיל) — perverse (morally)
  • and turned me over H3399 (יָרַט) — to precipitate or hurl (rush) headlong; (intransitively) to be rash
  • into the hands H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
  • of the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

12 I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I was at ease H7961 (שָׁלֵו) — tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security
  • but he hath broken me asunder H6565 (פָּרַר) — to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate
  • he hath also taken H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
  • by my neck H6203 (עֹרֶף) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
  • and shaken me to pieces H6327 (פּוּץ) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
  • and set me up H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
  • for his mark H4307 (מַטָּרָא) — a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)

13 His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • His archers H7228 (רַב) — an archer
  • compass me round about H5437 (סָבַב) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
  • he cleaveth H6398 (פָּלַח) — to slice, i.e. break open or pierce
  • my reins H3629 (כִּלְיָה) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)
  • asunder H6398 (פָּלַח) — to slice, i.e. break open or pierce
  • and doth not spare H2550 (חָמַל) — to commiserate; by implication, to spare
  • he poureth out H8210 (שָׁפַךְ) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensi…
  • my gall H4845 (מְרֵרָה) — bile (from its bitterness)
  • upon the ground H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Judges 15:8 · Job 9:17 · Psalms 42:7 · Lamentations 3:3
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • He breaketh H6555 (פָּרַץ) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)
  • me with breach H6556 (פֶּרֶץ) — a break (literally or figuratively)
  • upon H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • breach H6556 (פֶּרֶץ) — a break (literally or figuratively)
  • he runneth H7323 (רוּץ) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
  • upon me like a giant H1368 (גִּבּוֹר) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I have sewed H8609 (תָּפַר) — to sew
  • sackcloth H8242 (שַׂק) — properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grain, etc.)
  • upon my skin H1539 (גֶּלֶד) — the (human) skin (as smooth)
  • and defiled H5953 (עָלַל) — to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean (also figuratively); by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e. maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also lite…
  • my horn H7161 (קֶרֶן) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ra…
  • in the dust H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

16 My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My face H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • is foul H2560 (חָמַר) — properly, to boil up; hence, to ferment (with scum); to glow (with redness); to smear with pitch
  • with weeping H1065 (בְּכִי) — a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
  • and on my eyelids H6079 (עַפְעַף) — an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray
  • the shadow of death H6757 (צַלְמָוֶת) — shade of death, i.e. the grave (figuratively, calamity)

17 Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • injustice H2555 (חָמָס) — violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
  • in mine hands H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
  • also my prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
  • pure H2134 (זַךְ) — clear

18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no resting -place.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • O earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • cover H3680 (כָּסָה) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
  • not thou my blood H1818 (דָּם) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. dr…
  • and let my cry H2201 (זַעַק) — a shriek or outcry
  • have no place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Also now, behold, my witness H5707 (עֵד) — concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince
  • in heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • and my record H7717 (שָׂהֵד) — a witness
  • on high H4791 (מָרוֹם) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

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

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My friends H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
  • scorn H3887 (לוּץ) — properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede
  • mine eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
  • poureth out H1811 (דָּלַף) — to drip; by implication, to weep
  • unto God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity

21 That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • O that one might plead H3198 (יָכַח) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
  • for a man H1397 (גֶּבֶר) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
  • with God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity
  • as a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
  • for his neighbour H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
  • for his neighbour H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…

22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 7:9 · Job 14:5 · Job 14:10 · Job 14:14 · Job 17:1 · Ecclesiastes 12:5
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When a few H4557 (מִסְפָּר) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
  • years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
  • are come H857 (אָתָה) — to arrive
  • then I shall go H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
  • the way H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
  • I shall not return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…