Job 16:1-20:29 NIV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 16:1

CHAP. XVI. Job expostulates with his friends on their unkind treatment; and declares, that if they were in the like distress he would behave to them in a different manner. He sets forth the greatness of his sufferings, but still maintains his integrity. Before Christ 1645. Job 16:1. Then Job answered and said— Job, above measure grieved that his friends should treat him in this cruel manner, expostulates very tenderly with them on the subject. He tells them, that he should, in the like... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 16:1-5

Job’s disgust with his friends 16:1-5Job said his visitors had said nothing new to help him (Job 16:1). He picked up Eliphaz’s word (translated "mischief" in Job 15:35) and used it to describe him and his companions as "sorry," pain-inflicting comforters (an oxymoron, Job 16:2). Eliphaz’s words had not brought the consolation he had promised (Job 15:11). Job charged his visitors with being the real windbags (Job 16:3; cf. Job 8:2; Job 15:2). He claimed that he himself would provide more comfort... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Job 16:1-16

2. Job’s second reply to Eliphaz chs. 16-17This response reflects Job’s increasing disinterest in the words of his accusers. He warned them and then proceeded to bewail his isolation. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:1-22

Job’s Fourth Speech (Job 16, 17)See introductory remarks on Job 15-21.1-5. Job retorts scornfully that he too could offer such empty ’comfort’ if he were in the friends’ place.2. The friends can do nothing but repeat their exasperating commonplaces. 3. Shall vain words, etc.] i.e. ’will you never stop?’5. Job would have acted very differently (Job 4:3-4; Job 29), giving no mere lip-comfort.6-17. Job enlarges on the wrath of God and the enmity of man. Neither speech nor silence brings him... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Job 16:1

XVI.(1) Then Job answered.—Job, in replying, ceases to continue the argument, which he finds useless; but, after complaining of the way his friends have conducted it, and contrasting the way in which they have treated him with that in which he would treat them were they in his case, he proceeds again to enlarge upon his condition, and makes a touching appeal to Heaven, which prepares us for the more complete confession in Job 19:0. He ends by declaring that his case is desperate. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 16:1-22

Job 16:2 In no respect was Mrs. Grote's knowledge of the human heart more apparent than in her intercourse with a mariner. With the unfailing freshness she put into all she said, she called herself 'a good affliction woman'. In the first place she admitted the reality of the trial, without which no one attempting to help no matter in what can be either just or kind. Then she dealt in no commonplaces on any subject in the world, least of all on that of deep grief. She knew that nothing could... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 16:1-22

XIV."MY WITNESS IN HEAVEN"Job 16:1-22; Job 17:1-16Job SPEAKSIF it were comforting to be told of misery and misfortune, to hear the doom of insolent evildoers described again and again in varying terms, then Job should have been comforted. But his friends had lost sight of their errand, and he had to recall them to it."I have heard many such things: Afflictive comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end?"He would have them consider that perpetual harping on one string is but a sober... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 16:1-22

CHAPTERS 16-17 Job’s Reply to Eliphaz 1. Miserable comforters are ye all (Job 16:1-5 ) 2. Oh God! Thou hast done it! (Job 16:6-14 ) 3. Yet I look to Thee (Job 16:15-22 ) 4. Trouble upon trouble; self-pity (Job 17:1-12 ) 5. Where is now my hope? (Job 17:13-16 ) Job 16:1-5 . How masterfully he meets their wrong accusations and how he brings forth his suffering afresh, yet always with that horrible nightmare, God is not for me, but against me! Such things Eliphaz spoke he had heard... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Job 16:1-22

JOB REPROVES THEIR HEARTLESSNESS (vv.1-5) Eliphaz had claimed to be giving Job "the consolations of God," and this moves Job to reply bitterly, "Miserable comforters are you all!" (v.2). Instead of comfort, they had given heartless accusations, which Job terms "words of wind." He says that if they were in his place, he could heap up words against them in similar cruel accusation, but he would not do so: he would use his words to strengthen and encourage them in order to give them some... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Job 16:1-22

SECOND SERIES OF THE DEBATE 1. With Eliphaz (chaps. 15-17) a. Speech of Eliphaz (chap. 15) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 16-17) 2. With Bildad (chaps. 18-19) a. Speech of Bildad (chap. 18) b. Reply of Job (chap. 19) 3. With Zophar (chaps. 20-21) a. Speech of Zophar (chap. 20) b. Reply of Job (chap. 21) The second series of the debate is in the same order as the first, and with the same question in view. ELIPHAZ AND JOB Eliphaz opens in chapter 15. Job is accused of vehemence and vanity; of... read more