Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Would a wise person answer with empty notions or fill their belly with the hot east wind? New Living Translation “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk! You are nothing but a windbag. English Standard Version “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Berean Standard Bible “Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill his belly with the hot east wind? King James Bible Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? New King James Version “Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind? New American Standard Bible “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind? NASB 1995 “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge And fill himself with the east wind? NASB 1977 “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind? Legacy Standard Bible “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge And fill his belly with the east wind? Amplified Bible “Should a wise man [such as you] utter such windy and vain knowledge [as we have just heard] And fill himself with the east wind [of withering, parching, and violent accusations]? Christian Standard Bible Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill himself with the hot east wind? Holman Christian Standard Bible Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill himself with the hot east wind? American Standard Version Should a wise man make answer with vain knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind? Contemporary English Version Job, if you had any sense, English Revised Version Should a wise man make answer with vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? GOD'S WORD® Translation "Should a wise person answer with endless details and fill his stomach with the east wind? International Standard Version "Should a wise person respond with knowledge based on wind? Should he fill his stomach with a wind storm from the east? NET Bible "Does a wise man answer with blustery knowledge, or fill his belly with the east wind? New Heart English Bible "Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind? Webster's Bible Translation Should a wise men utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill his belly with the hot east wind? World English Bible “Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind? Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Does a wise man answer [with] vain knowledge? And fill his belly [with] an east wind? Young's Literal Translation Doth a wise man answer with vain knowledge? And fill with an east wind his belly? Smith's Literal Translation Shall a wise one answer knowledge of wind, and fill his belly with the east wind? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWill a wise man answer as if he were speaking in the wind, and fill his stomach with burning heat? Catholic Public Domain Version Will a wise man answer as if he were speaking wind, and will he fill his stomach with fire? New American Bible Does a wise man answer with windy opinions, or puff himself up with the east wind? New Revised Standard Version “Should the wise answer with windy knowledge, and fill themselves with the east wind? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleShould a spiritually minded man answer with knowledge and then become enraged? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Will the wise of spirit answer in knowledge and anger fill his belly OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Should a wise man make answer with windy knowledge, And fill his belly with the east wind? Brenton Septuagint Translation Will a wise man give for answer a mere breath of wisdom? and does he fill up the pain of his belly, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: 2“Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill his belly with the hot east wind? 3Should he argue with useless words or speeches that serve no purpose?… Cross References Job 8:2 “How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind. Job 11:2-3 “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? / Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke? Job 18:2 “How long until you end these speeches? Show some sense, and then we can talk. Job 34:35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ Job 35:16 So Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge.” Job 38:2 “Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge? Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Ecclesiastes 5:3 As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. Isaiah 8:19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 29:4 You will be brought low, you will speak from the ground, and out of the dust your words will be muffled. Your voice will be like a spirit from the ground; your speech will whisper out of the dust. Isaiah 29:14 Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.” Jeremiah 8:9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? Treasury of Scripture Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? a wise man Job 11:2,3 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? … Job 13:2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. vain knowledge. Job 6:26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? Job 8:2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? fill Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. Jump to Previous Belly East Empty Fill Hot Notions Utter Vain Value Wind Windy WiseJump to Next Belly East Empty Fill Hot Notions Utter Vain Value Wind Windy WiseJob 15 1. Eliphaz reproves Job for impiety in justifying himself17. He proves by tradition the restlessness of wicked men Does a wise man answer with empty counsel In the context of the Book of Job, this phrase is part of Eliphaz's second speech to Job. Eliphaz challenges Job's wisdom, suggesting that a truly wise person would not speak with "empty counsel." This reflects the cultural value placed on wisdom in ancient Near Eastern societies, where wisdom was associated with practical knowledge and moral integrity. The term "empty counsel" implies advice or words lacking substance or truth, which Eliphaz accuses Job of providing. This accusation is significant in the broader biblical narrative, as wisdom is a central theme in books like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, where true wisdom is often linked to the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). or fill his belly with the hot east wind? Persons / Places / Events 1. Eliphaz the TemaniteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking, offering his perspective on Job's suffering and perceived folly. 2. Job The central figure of the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. 3. Teman A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is presumed to be wise and knowledgeable. 4. The East Wind In the ancient Near East, the east wind was often associated with destruction and desolation, symbolizing something harsh and unproductive. 5. The Dialogue This verse is part of the larger dialogue between Job and his friends, where they debate the reasons for Job's suffering and the nature of wisdom. Teaching Points The Nature of True WisdomTrue wisdom is not just about speaking but about speaking with purpose and truth. Eliphaz challenges Job to consider whether his words are truly wise or just empty rhetoric. The Dangers of Empty Words Words have power and can either build up or tear down. Like the east wind, empty words can be destructive and unproductive. Discernment in Counsel When offering advice or counsel, it is crucial to ensure that it is grounded in truth and love, rather than assumptions or personal biases. The Role of Suffering in Understanding Suffering can be a teacher, but it requires humility and openness to learn from it. Eliphaz's critique suggests that Job's suffering should lead to introspection and growth. The Importance of Listening In conversations, especially those involving suffering, listening is as important as speaking. Eliphaz's approach reminds us to listen carefully before responding. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 15:2?2. How does Job 15:2 challenge us to seek wisdom over empty words? 3. What does Job 15:2 reveal about the importance of godly speech? 4. How can Job 15:2 guide us in discerning wise counsel from foolishness? 5. In what ways does Job 15:2 connect with James 3 on controlling the tongue? 6. How can we apply the lesson of Job 15:2 in daily conversations? 7. What does Job 15:2 reveal about human wisdom versus divine wisdom? 8. How does Job 15:2 challenge the value of human reasoning? 9. Why does Eliphaz criticize Job's words in Job 15:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 15? 11. When is it time to be silent or speak? 12. Are you truly listening to God's guidance? 13. What does the Bible say about global warming? 14. What advice do the ungodly offer? What Does Job 15:2 Mean Does a wise man answer with empty counsel• Eliphaz challenges Job’s claim to wisdom by pointing out that truly wise speech carries substance, not hollowness. Proverbs 15:2 says, “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly”, underscoring that wisdom and emptiness cannot coexist. • “Empty counsel” exposes words that lack grounding in God’s truth. Proverbs 10:19 warns, “When words are many, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise”. Eliphaz implies that Job’s lengthy defenses have drifted into unprofitable territory. • For the believer, wisdom is anchored in fearing the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) and aligning words with His revealed will (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Anything else—no matter how heartfelt—rings hollow. or fill his belly with the hot east wind? • The “east wind” in Scripture is a scorching desert blast that withers crops and topples ships (Genesis 41:6; Jonah 4:8). Eliphaz uses the image to paint Job’s words as destructive gusts rather than refreshing truth. Hosea 12:1 draws a similar picture: “Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day”. • “Fill his belly” implies internalizing and being satisfied by his own bluster. Ecclesiastes 1:14 observes, “all is vanity, a chasing after the wind”. Eliphaz accuses Job of nourishing himself on vanity instead of God’s wisdom. • Scripture contrasts this emptiness with the satisfying fare of God’s Word: “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became to me a joy” (Jeremiah 15:16). Speech that lacks that nourishment is little more than hot air. summary Job 15:2 confronts the difference between words filled with God-given wisdom and words that are empty, self-satisfying gusts of hot wind. Eliphaz wrongly concludes that Job’s arguments fall into the latter category, yet the principle is timeless: wisdom speaks with substance, humility, and reverence for God, while folly multiplies words that neither edify others nor honor the Lord. (2) Should a wise man utter vain knowledge . . .--Job therefore is not wise, and his words have been vain and windy.Hebrew “Does a wiseהֶֽחָכָ֗ם (he·ḥā·ḵām) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise man answer יַעֲנֶ֥ה (ya·‘ă·neh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond with empty ר֑וּחַ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit counsel דַֽעַת־ (ḏa·‘aṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1847: Knowledge or fill וִֽימַלֵּ֖א (wî·mal·lê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of his belly בִּטְנֽוֹ׃ (biṭ·nōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything with the hot east wind? קָדִ֣ים (qā·ḏîm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6921: The fore, front part, the East Links Job 15:2 NIVJob 15:2 NLT Job 15:2 ESV Job 15:2 NASB Job 15:2 KJV Job 15:2 BibleApps.com Job 15:2 Biblia Paralela Job 15:2 Chinese Bible Job 15:2 French Bible Job 15:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 15:2 Should a wise man answer with vain (Jb) |
    |