Old Testament Commentary - Job 16

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 16 Job bewails against the wicked who oppose him—Though even his friends scorn him, he testifies that his witness is in heaven and his record is on high.
1 THEN Job answered and said, 2 I have heard many such things: miserable ^acomforters are ye all. 3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?^a	3^a what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? That seems to be quite a question to be answered. What do motivate those who wrongfully persume to assert falsehoods upon others? Does it make themselves to appear more the better if they so go on about the failings and sins of others? Why did Job's 'friends' insist upon the idea that Job must be wicked? Did they envy him when he so prospered previously that they were actually revaling in his demise and felt to persecute him now to some how get even? Or is it just that people like to see the fall of someone so that they can put themselves to be the better than another? What motivates people to spread rumors and to tear other people apart. Are they so insecure in their own positions in life or do they even have a life outside of having to tear others down to give themselves some type of status in the eyes of others. For whatever reason, people just can't seem to let the lives of others go on without making some comment and usually such a comment that tears and rips at the other person's character.	2^a Job 13:4; D&C 121:10 (7-11)
4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. 5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. 6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. 8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. 9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek ^areproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. 11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. 12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.		10^a TG Reproach
13 His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. 14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a ^agiant. 15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and ^adefiled my horn in the dust.		14^a HEB mighty man 15^a OR cast thy strength
16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; 17 Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. 18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in ^aheaven, and my record is on high. 20 My friends ^ascorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. 21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! 22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the ^away whence I shall not return.		19^a TG Heaven 20^a Job 21:3 (1-3) 22^a TG Death