Job 35 16

Job 35:16 kjv

Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

Job 35:16 nkjv

Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge."

Job 35:16 niv

So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words."

Job 35:16 esv

Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge."

Job 35:16 nlt

But you are talking nonsense, Job.
You have spoken like a fool."

Job 35 verses

Job 35 16 Meaning

Job 35:16 is Elihu's concluding indictment of Job's discourse. He asserts that Job’s opening of his mouth is ultimately empty and without effect. Elihu contends that Job multiplies many words, but these words lack true insight or understanding, particularly regarding God's character and actions. He views Job's speech as not just erroneous, but profoundly lacking in genuine spiritual knowledge, thus rendering it vain and futile.

Job 35 16 Context

Job 35:16 concludes Elihu’s fourth and final speech (Job 35:1-16). Elihu entered the debate claiming he possessed superior understanding due to his youth and divine inspiration, stating his intention to correct both Job and the three friends. In this chapter, he criticizes Job's contention that God does not seem to respond to the righteous, arguing that God is transcendent and unaffected by human deeds. Elihu claims Job is speaking out of ignorance of divine justice and governance. This verse specifically serves as Elihu’s harsh summation of Job's entire defense and lament, accusing Job of uttering empty and unintelligent words. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions, articulate and discerning speech was highly valued, whereas excessive or ignorant speech was considered foolish. Elihu presents himself as the voice of genuine wisdom, directly opposing what he perceives as Job's arrogant ignorance of God's ways. His polemic is subtle: he suggests that Job, by questioning divine justice and seeking a legal case with God, demonstrates a profound lack of true wisdom or da‘at (knowledge/understanding).

Job 35 16 Word analysis

• Therefore (‘al-kēn): This conjunction indicates a conclusion drawn from the preceding arguments. Elihu believes he has logically proven his point that Job's words are without foundation, thus this summation. It links back to Elihu's arguments in chapter 35 about God's transcendence and His lack of obligation to explain His actions to Job.
• doth Job open his mouth (we’iyyōḇ yip̄·taḥ-pīhū): Literally, "and Job opens his mouth." "Opening one's mouth" in Hebrew often implies a formal declaration, a deliberate statement, or the utterance of significant words. Here, it suggests that Job's speaking is not casual, but a considered effort to state his case or complain. The implication is that even in such a solemn act, Job is profoundly mistaken.
• in vain (hāḇel): This key Hebrew term signifies emptiness, futility, meaninglessness, or worthlessness. It famously recurs throughout Ecclesiastes ("vanity of vanities"). When applied to speech, it means the words lack substance, purpose, or beneficial effect. Elihu's judgment is that Job’s declarations hold no true weight or significance in the eyes of God or in reality. They are mere breath.
• he multiplieth words (yakbîr millîm): This phrase means to speak many words, to be verbose, or to expand on a topic with numerous statements. Elihu accuses Job of an excess of words. The implication is that wise speech is often concise and profound, whereas foolish or ignorant speech is lengthy but empty, attempting to compensate for lack of substance with quantity.
• without knowledge (bə·lî-ḏā·‘aṯ): This is a crucial indictment. Da‘at (knowledge) in biblical Hebrew is more than mere information; it signifies deep, personal understanding, discernment, and often moral or spiritual insight, especially knowledge of God and His ways. To speak "without knowledge" means speaking ignorantly, without the true insight required to comprehend God's justice, sovereignty, or purpose. Elihu implies that Job’s reasoning is devoid of genuine spiritual wisdom or comprehension of divine principles.

Words-group analysis

• "doth Job open his mouth in vain": This phrase combines the act of solemn declaration with a judgment of futility. It paints Job's entire legal defense or complaint before God as empty rhetoric. Despite Job’s passionate and profound utterances, Elihu considers them hollow, devoid of spiritual value or practical impact.
• "he multiplieth words without knowledge": This connects the quantity of Job’s speech with its fundamental flaw. It's not just that Job speaks a lot, but that his abundant words are untethered from true understanding. This suggests that the problem is not merely a few mistaken statements, but the entire basis and nature of Job’s discourse, stemming from a perceived lack of discernment regarding God's character and providence. Elihu contrasts Job's "knowledge" with God's ultimate wisdom and control.

Job 35 16 Bonus section

• Irony in Elihu's own words: Elihu, despite criticizing Job for multiplying words without knowledge, himself delivers the longest and most verbose speech in the book of Job (chapters 32-37) before God finally speaks. This can be seen as an example of self-condemnation, illustrating that speaking much does not equate to speaking wisely or with divine authority.
• Anticipation of God's rebuke: Elihu's exact phrasing "words without knowledge" closely parallels God's initial question to Job in Job 38:2. This raises theological questions: Is Elihu a partial vessel of divine truth, albeit tainted by human pride? Or is his assessment merely a shrewd human deduction that coincidentally mirrors God’s, showing that sometimes human observation aligns with divine perspective, even if the underlying motive is different? God's question to Job served to humble him, leading to true repentance, whereas Elihu's served to condemn.
• The danger of human counsel in divine matters: This verse, within Elihu's larger speech, underscores the peril of attempting to fully explain God's complex dealings with limited human understanding. Elihu's "knowledge" about God's transcendence is accurate, but his application of that knowledge to Job's unique situation is insufficient and presumptuous.
• Wisdom versus theological speculation: Elihu represents a form of theological speculation based on accepted dogma ("God is righteous, therefore Job must be wrong") rather than a profound understanding gained through divine revelation or empathy. His accusation reveals a lack of empathy and spiritual discernment of Job's profound crisis of faith.

Job 35 16 Commentary

Job 35:16 encapsulates Elihu’s overall judgment of Job’s extensive speeches throughout the book. Elihu positions himself as a spokesman for God, interpreting Job's prolonged suffering and righteous claims as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a testament to God's incomprehensible sovereignty. For Elihu, Job’s continued complaints and questions concerning God's justice are evidence of intellectual and spiritual arrogance, not genuine wrestling. He claims Job's profound existential inquiries are mere "vain babblings" that multiply without hitting the mark of truth or revealing any genuine understanding of God’s perfect, transcendent wisdom. The charge "without knowledge" (Hebrew bə·lî-ḏā·‘aṯ) is particularly damning, suggesting not just error but a fundamental failure to grasp the true nature and purposes of God. Ironically, God later confronts Job with similar language (Job 38:2), "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" This shows that while Elihu’s analysis of Job’s speech has a measure of truth (Job did speak presumptuously), his judgment and motives are flawed by his own self-righteousness. Elihu's criticism highlights the common human tendency to judge spiritual struggle as mere ignorance, failing to recognize the depths of anguish or the limits of our own wisdom when seeking to explain God's mysterious ways.