Job 16:6

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

Job 16:6 Meaning and Commentary

Job 16:6

Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged
Though he spoke to God in prayer, and entreated for some abatement of his sorrows, he got no relief; and though he spoke to himself in soliloquies, his sorrow was not repressed nor lessened; he could not administer comfort to himself in the present case, though he might to others in like circumstances, if his own were changed;

and [though] I forbear
speaking, hold my peace, and say nothing,

what am I eased?
or "what goes from me" F20? not anything of my trouble or grief; sometimes a man speaking of his troubles to his friends gives vent to his grief, and he is somewhat eased; and on the other hand being silent about it, he forgets it, and it goes off; but in neither of those ways could Job be released: or it may be his sense is, that when he spake of his affliction, and attempted to vindicate his character, he was represented as an impatient and passionate man, if not as blasphemous, so that his grief was rather increased than assuaged; and if he was silent, that was interpreted a consciousness of his guilt; so that, let him take what course he would, it was much the same, he could get no ease nor comfort.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (Klxy ynm hm) "quid a me abit", Junius & Tremellius, Schultens.

Job 16:6 In-Context

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?
8 But now he has made me weary, and a worn-out fool; and thou hast laid hold of me.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.