King James Version

What Does Job 19:5 Mean?

Job 19:5 in the King James Version says “If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:” — study this verse from Job chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:”

Job 19:5 · KJV

Context

3

These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. make: or, harden yourselves against me

4

And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.

5

If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:

6

Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.

7

Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. wrong: or, violence

Read Job 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me (אִם־אָמְנָם עָלַי תַּגְדִּילוּ, im-'omnam 'alay tagdilu)—The verb גָּדַל (gadal, 'to magnify/make great') in the Hiphil stem means 'to exalt oneself.' Job accuses his friends of using his suffering to elevate their own righteousness—a devastating critique of their motives.

And plead against me my reproach (וְתוֹכִיחוּ עָלַי חֶרְפָּתִי, wetokhichu 'alay cherpati)—The verb יָכַח (yakach) means 'to prove, argue, reprove.' His friends treat his חֶרְפָּה (cherpah, 'disgrace/shame') as forensic evidence of guilt. Job exposes the cruelty of their 'comfort'—they're weaponizing his pain to vindicate their theology.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In honor-shame cultures of the ancient Near East, reproach (cherpah) meant social death. Job's friends add theological condemnation to his social humiliation, making themselves judges rather than advocates—the opposite of Christ, who bore our reproach (Hebrews 13:13).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can suffering become an opportunity for others to 'magnify themselves' through spiritual superiority?
  2. In what ways do Christians sometimes use others' pain to validate their own theological systems?
  3. How does Jesus's bearing of our reproach model the opposite approach to Job's friends?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אִם1 of 7
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אָ֭מְנָם2 of 7

“If indeed”

H551

verily

עָלַ֣י3 of 7
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תַּגְדִּ֑ילוּ4 of 7

“ye will magnify”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

וְתוֹכִ֥יחוּ5 of 7

“yourselves against me and plead”

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

עָ֝לַ֗י6 of 7
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חֶרְפָּתִּֽי׃7 of 7

“against me my reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

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 19:5 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 19:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 35:26Psalms 55:12Psalms 38:16John 9:34Luke 1:25Nehemiah 1:3

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