King James Version

What Does Job 27:4 Mean?

Job 27:4 in the King James Version says “My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.” — study this verse from Job chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.”

Job 27:4 · KJV

Context

2

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; vexed: Heb. made my soul bitter

3

All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; the spirit: that is, the breath which God gave him

4

My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

5

God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

6

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. so long: Heb. from my days

Read Job 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My lips shall not speak wickedness (אִם־תְּדַבֵּרְנָה שְׂפָתַי עָוְלָה)—the Hebrew avlah (עַוְלָה) denotes injustice, unrighteousness, or moral perversity. Job vows his mouth will not compromise truth. Nor my tongue utter deceit (וּלְשׁוֹנִי אִם־יֶהְגֶּה רְמִיָּה)—remiyyah (רְמִיָּה) means deceit, treachery, or falsehood. The parallel structure emphasizes comprehensive verbal integrity: neither substantive wickedness nor tactical deception.

This oath directly challenges his friends' implicit demand that Job confess unknown sins to satisfy their retribution theology. Job refuses false confession—he will not slander God by attributing imaginary guilt to himself, nor will he abandon truth-telling to gain social peace. This anticipates Jesus's absolute truthfulness even unto death, and James's warning that the tongue is a fire set on hell's course (James 3:6). Verbal integrity reflects spiritual reality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Ancient Near Eastern oath-taking, invoking divine witness to one's truthfulness carried ultimate seriousness. Job's vow occurs after three dialogue cycles where his friends have pressured him to admit wrongdoing. His refusal to speak falsehood, even to end suffering and social alienation, demonstrates that truth-telling is non-negotiable for the righteous.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Job's commitment to verbal integrity challenge cultures (including Christian subcultures) that value smooth speech over truthfulness?
  2. In what situations are you tempted to speak 'wickedness' or 'deceit' to avoid conflict or gain acceptance?
  3. How does Jesus's perfect truthfulness unto death set the standard for Christian speech in hostile environments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
אִם1 of 8
H518

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

תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה2 of 8

“shall not speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

שְׂפָתַ֣י3 of 8

“My lips”

H8193

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

עַוְלָ֑ה4 of 8

“wickedness”

H5766

(moral) evil

וּ֝לְשׁוֹנִ֗י5 of 8

“nor my tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

אִם6 of 8
H518

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

יֶהְגֶּ֥ה7 of 8

“utter”

H1897

to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder

רְמִיָּֽה׃8 of 8

“deceit”

H7423

remissness, treachery

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 27:4 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 27:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 13:7John 8:55Job 34:62 Corinthians 11:10Job 6:28

Test Your Knowledge

Job 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJob Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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