Job 16 1

Job 16:1 kjv

Then Job answered and said,

Job 16:1 nkjv

Then Job answered and said:

Job 16:1 niv

Then Job replied:

Job 16:1 esv

Then Job answered and said:

Job 16:1 nlt

Then Job spoke again:

Job 16 verses

Job 16 1 Meaning

Job 16:1 serves as a textual marker, indicating the immediate commencement of Job's response. It signals a crucial moment in the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends, as Job is about to deliver his third significant address, responding to the recent words of Eliphaz. This simple introductory phrase sets the stage for a new phase of lament, self-defense, and direct appeal to God from the suffering Job.

Job 16 1 Context

Job 16:1 stands at a critical juncture in the book of Job, initiating Job’s third and most impassioned speech (Job 16-17) within the second cycle of dialogue between Job and his three friends. Prior to this verse, Job has endured successive speeches from his companions, each accusing him of hidden sin as the cause of his suffering, based on the prevailing retribution theology of their time. Specifically, this verse follows Eliphaz's second speech in Job 15, where Eliphaz harshly rebuked Job for his despair and self-righteousness, accusing him of rejecting wisdom and acting impiously.

Job 16:1 marks Job's immediate, unfiltered, and deeply emotional response to these persistent and, in his view, baseless accusations. The historical and cultural context underscores the importance of verbal discourse in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. Friends were expected to offer comfort, yet Job's companions had shifted from mourners to accusers. This verse ushers in Job’s firm repudiation of their unhelpful "comfort" and his growing desperation, leading him to directly lament his friends' insensitivity and reiterate his innocence, eventually culminating in a powerful plea directly to God, bypassing his human interlocutors entirely.

Job 16 1 Word analysis

• Then: Wayyiʿan (וַיַּעַן). This serves as a temporal conjunction, connecting the present statement to the previous speaker's discourse. It signals a sequence of events or, in this case, a turn in the dialogue. In Hebrew narrative, "then" often indicates a direct, immediate, and sometimes emphatic progression in the story or argument. It highlights the promptness of Job’s reply.
• Job: ʾÎyôḇ (אִיּוֹב). This is the proper name of the protagonist. Etymologically, it may mean "persecuted" or "one who cries out/repents." His name encapsulates his plight: one undergoing intense suffering and calling out (to God, to his friends, in lament). In the biblical narrative, names often carry profound symbolic weight, reflecting the character's destiny or essence.
• answered: wayyaʿan (וַיַּעַן) from the verb ʿānâ (ענה). This signifies "to answer," "to respond," or "to reply." It's more than a simple vocalization; it implies addressing something that has been said, often in a conversational, disputational, or responsive context. In the Book of Job, this verb frequently introduces each participant's speech, emphasizing the back-and-forth, argumentative nature of their exchanges. It can also imply a legal or formal defense in ancient Near Eastern cultures, suggesting Job is making a counter-statement to the accusations.
• and said: wayyōʾmer (וַיֹּאמֶר) from the verb ʾāmar (אמר). This means "to say" or "to speak." Paired with ʿānâ, this forms a standard Hebrew idiom, ʿānâ wĕʾāmar (answered and said), used throughout the Bible to introduce a formal speech or declaration in a dialogue. While ʿānâ denotes the act of responding, ʾāmar focuses on the content that follows. This formula elevates the ensuing words beyond casual speech, suggesting a deliberate and significant utterance.
• Word-group Analysis: "Then Job answered and said"This phrase functions as a literary formula, common in biblical narrative, especially in dialogues. It marks a clear transition of speakers and sets the stage for the specific content of Job's next address. Its repeated use throughout the Book of Job underscores the highly structured and disputational nature of the book's central section. It ensures the reader follows the flow of the argument, highlighting that Job is actively engaging with, rather than passively receiving, the accusations leveled against him. This formula signifies not just a change in turn but an impending and deliberate vocal response to the preceding speech, reinforcing the verbal conflict.

Job 16 1 Bonus section

The recurring "answered and said" formula is a deliberate stylistic choice in the Book of Job, emphasizing the formal, almost judicial nature of the dialogues. Each turn to speak is a structured response, indicating a serious theological and existential debate rather than casual conversation. This consistency throughout the book (found repeatedly in Job 4:1, 8:1, 11:1, 15:1, 19:1, etc.) creates a rhythm, reinforcing the cycle of argument and counter-argument. Furthermore, this seemingly simple introduction contrasts sharply with the complex, poetic, and often agonized speeches that follow, highlighting that profound internal struggle and intellectual debate begin with a simple vocal response.

Job 16 1 Commentary

Job 16:1, while brief, is a crucial transition in the book. It functions as the entry point into Job's third speech, signalling his turn to respond to the crushing, judgmental words of his friends, particularly Eliphaz’s latest assault. Far from being a neutral observation, this verse prepares the reader for an intensely emotional outpouring. Job is not merely speaking; he is "answering" – directly refuting, lamenting, and defending against their persistent, unsympathetic theological framework that equates suffering solely with sin. This verse marks the shift from the friends’ abstract arguments about justice to Job’s personal cry for vindication and his escalating despair with his human comforters, leading him to seek his audience with God directly. It sets the stage for Job to unleash his deep frustration at their "miserable comfort" and declare his unwavering trust in a higher tribunal.