Job 16:5

5 then would I insult you with words, and I would shake my head at you.

Job 16:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 16:5

[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth
Comfort them with the words of his mouth; so God strengthens his people with strength in their souls, when he answers them with good and comfortable words; an angel strengthened Christ as man when in an agony, comforting him, suggesting comfortable things to him; so one saint may strengthen and comfort another when in distress, whether of soul or body; see ( Psalms 138:3 ) ( Luke 22:43 Luke 22:32 ) ; and thus Job had strengthened and comforted others, with his words in former times, as Eliphaz himself owns, ( Job 4:3 Job 4:4 ) and so he would again, were there a change in his circumstances, and objects presented:

and the moving of my lips should assuage [your grief]:
words uttered by him, which are done by the moving of the lips, should be such as would have a tendency to allay grief, to stop, restrain, forbid, and lessen sorrow; at least that it might not break out in an extravagant way, and exceed bounds, and that his friends might not be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Job 16:5 In-Context

3 What! is there any reason in vain words? or what will hinder thee from answering?

4 I also will speak as ye : if indeed your soul were in my stead,

5 then would I insult you with words, and I would shake my head at you.

6 And would there were strength in my mouth, and I would not spare the movement of my lips.

7 For if I should speak, I shall not feel the pain of my wound: and if I should be silent, how shall I be wounded the less?