Job 27 4

Job 27:4 kjv

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

Job 27:4 nkjv

My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.

Job 27:4 niv

my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies.

Job 27:4 esv

my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

Job 27:4 nlt

my lips will speak no evil,
and my tongue will speak no lies.

Job 27 verses

Job 27 4 Meaning

Job 27:4 is a powerful declaration by Job of his unwavering integrity, particularly concerning his speech. Despite his suffering and the accusations of his friends, Job swears that he will never speak words that are wicked or unjust, nor will his tongue utter deceit or treachery. This verse reflects his deep commitment to truth and righteousness, affirming that his words genuinely represent the uprightness of his character.

Job 27 4 Context

Job 27:4 is part of Job’s final great speech, spanning chapters 27 to 31. After cycles of debate with his three friends, Job takes the floor for an extended declaration. This specific verse occurs within Job's oath of innocence and his strong defense of his character. His friends have continuously accused him of some hidden sin, suggesting his suffering is divine punishment. They have implied that his defense of his own righteousness is a form of presumption, or even wickedness and deceit against God. In this verse, Job vehemently refutes these charges, asserting his complete moral and verbal integrity before God and men. He vows that his mouth, the very instrument through which he has argued his case, has not and will not produce anything unrighteous or deceptive. This is a crucial moment where Job solidifies his stand as a righteous man misrepresented by his accusers.

Job 27 4 Word analysis

• Surely (Hebrew: אִם־גַּם - im-gam): An emphatic particle combination. Often translated as "even if," "though," or used to introduce a strong oath or affirmation, implying a weighty and solemn declaration. Here, it underlines the absolute certainty and firm resolve in Job's statement. It is like saying, "Most certainly," or "Under no circumstances."

• my lips (Hebrew: שׂפתי - siftai): Refers literally to the dual physical lips, which are instruments of speech. Symbolically, "lips" represent speech, utterance, and declarations. The dual form highlights both sides of the mouth, emphasizing the entirety of what is spoken.

• will not speak (Hebrew: לֹא־תְדַבֵּ֣ר - lo'-tedabber): לֹא (lo') is an absolute negative. תְדַבֵּר (tedabber) means "to speak, to converse, to say." The combination signifies a firm refusal or a vow not to engage in such speech, indicating an intentional and complete abstinence from speaking in a particular manner.

• wickedness (Hebrew: עַוְלָ֑ה - ʿawlah): Means injustice, unrighteousness, perversity, or wrongdoing. It refers to something morally crooked or twisted, diverging from what is right or equitable. In the context of speech, it denotes uttering perverted truths, unjust accusations, or statements that go against divine or moral standards. It’s not just a mistake but a moral twisting of truth or justice.

• nor my tongue (Hebrew: וּלְשֹׁונִ֖י - u'leshoni): וּ (u) means "and/nor," creating parallelism. לְשֹׁונִ֖י (leshoni) refers to the tongue, another primary organ of speech. The mention of both lips and tongue functions as a merism, a literary device where two parts signify the whole, emphasizing that absolutely no part of his speech will be involved in deceit. It also represents speech more generally, from thoughtful discourse to casual remarks.

• utter (Hebrew: תֶּהְגֶּה - tehgeh): Can mean "to meditate, to moan, to devise, to murmur, to speak." Here, it carries the sense of deliberating on something and then bringing it forth verbally, or making a sound, groan, or utterance. It implies not just incidental speaking, but speech that comes from internal thought or a deeper disposition. Job is asserting that even his inner thoughts, which would manifest through his utterance, will not lead to deceit.

• deceit (Hebrew: מִרְמָֽה - mirmah): Refers to deception, treachery, fraud, or trickery. It implies an intention to mislead or betray through words. While ʿawlah relates to twisted moral judgment, mirmah focuses on intentional falsehood or crafty misrepresentation designed to defraud or betray.

• my lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit: This phrase is a powerful parallelism, common in Hebrew poetry, emphasizing and intensifying Job's assertion. The pairing of "lips" and "tongue" with "wickedness" and "deceit" covers the entire scope of verbal transgression. It highlights both forms of unrighteous speech: speech that is morally wrong or perverse (wickedness) and speech that is intentionally false or misleading (deceit). Job's declaration covers all possible forms of corrupted speech. It speaks to a commitment not only to truthfulness but also to righteousness in what is conveyed. This dual denial demonstrates his unwavering commitment to integrity of both character and communication, implying that neither internal motive nor external expression will be flawed.

Job 27 4 Bonus section

• The dual negation in this verse, coupled with the parallelism of "lips/tongue" and "wickedness/deceit," highlights Job’s resolve from both a moral and truthful perspective. His speech is not merely devoid of lies, but it is also morally upright, reflecting a consistent, untainted character.
• Job's strong emphasis on truthful speech anticipates later biblical wisdom literature and New Testament teachings on the powerful and often dangerous nature of the tongue (e.g., Jas 3). He models the discipline of speaking righteousness and avoiding falsehood.
• In ancient Near Eastern legal and social contexts, oaths concerning one’s speech carried immense weight and were often considered binding before divine witnesses. Job’s statement here functions much like such an oath, calling on God as his witness to the truthfulness of his words and intentions.

Job 27 4 Commentary

Job 27:4 is a pivotal declaration, solidifying Job's absolute commitment to verbal integrity in the face of his friends' relentless accusations. It's more than a casual statement; it carries the weight of a solemn oath. By specifically disavowing "wickedness" (ʿawlah), Job counters the notion that his arguments are morally perverse or unjust. His friends had suggested he was blaspheming or accusing God of wrongdoing by defending his innocence. By denying "deceit" (mirmah), he refutes any suggestion of insincerity or manipulation in his words, challenging the idea that he might be secretly hiding sin or lying about his uprightness. This verse demonstrates that Job's blamelessness, earlier attested by God Himself (Job 1:8; 2:3), extends even to the precision and truthfulness of his speech, which flows from an uncompromised heart. His steadfastness here reinforces the thematic conflict of the book: whether suffering necessarily implies sin, and the depth of righteous integrity in adversity.