King James Version

What Does Job 16:5 Mean?

Job 16:5 in the King James Version says “But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.” — study this verse from Job chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.”

Job 16:5 · KJV

Context

3

Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? vain: Heb. words of wind

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? what: Heb. what goeth from me?

7

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

Read Job 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.' Job imagines how he would respond if positions were reversed: he'd 'strengthen' (אֲחַזְּקָה, achazqah) with words and 'moving of lips' (נִיד שְׂפָתַי, nid sefatay) would 'asswage' (יַחְשֹׂךְ, yachsokh—restrain, hold back) grief. This is biting irony—Job would offer genuine comfort, unlike his friends. The passage models pastoral care: strengthening the afflicted, restraining rather than adding to grief. James 1:19 counsels being 'swift to hear, slow to speak.' Job's hypothetical demonstrates the friends' failure. The Reformed pastoral tradition emphasizes compassionate presence over hasty correction. Job shows what godly friendship looks like.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient friendship obligations included comforting the afflicted. Job here contrasts what true friends should do with what his friends have actually done, highlighting their failure to fulfill basic friendship duties.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we offer strength through words without adding to grief?
  2. What does Job's hypothetical response teach us about pastoral care for the suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם1 of 6

“But I would strengthen”

H553

to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)

בְּמוֹ2 of 6

“you with”

H1119

in, with, by, etc

פִ֑י3 of 6

“my mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וְנִ֖יד4 of 6

“and the moving”

H5205

motion (of the lips in speech)

שְׂפָתַ֣י5 of 6

“of my lips”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃6 of 6

“should asswage”

H2820

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 16:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 16:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 27:9Isaiah 35:3-4Galatians 6:1Proverbs 27:17Job 29:25Job 4:3-4

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