Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. New Living Translation I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you. English Standard Version I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you. Berean Standard Bible I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you. King James Bible 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. New King James Version I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you; New American Standard Bible “I too could speak like you, If only I were in your place. I could compose words against you And shake my head at you. NASB 1995 “I too could speak like you, If I were in your place. I could compose words against you And shake my head at you. NASB 1977 “I too could speak like you, If I were in your place. I could compose words against you, And shake my head at you. Legacy Standard Bible I too could speak like you, If your soul was in the place of my soul. I could compose words against you And shake my head at you. Amplified Bible “I also could speak like you, If you were in my place; I could compose and join words together against you And shake my head at you. Christian Standard Bible If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you. Holman Christian Standard Bible If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you. American Standard Version I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you. Contemporary English Version If I were in your place, it would be easy to criticize or to give advice. English Revised Version I also could speak as ye do; if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, and shake mine head at you. GOD'S WORD® Translation I, too, could speak like you if we could trade places. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you. Good News Translation If you were in my place and I in yours, I could say everything you are saying. I could shake my head wisely and drown you with a flood of words. International Standard Version "I could also talk like you if only you were in my place! Then I would put together an argument against you. I would shake my head at you Majority Standard Bible I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you. NET Bible I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you. New Heart English Bible I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you, Webster's Bible Translation 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 my head at you. World English Bible I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI also, like you, might speak, "" If your soul were in my soul’s stead. I might join against you with words, "" And nod at you with my head. Young's Literal Translation I also, like you, might speak, If your soul were in my soul's stead. I might join against you with words, And nod at you with my head. Smith's Literal Translation Also I will speak as you: if it is your soul instead of my soul, I will join together with words against you, and shake my head against you upon it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul. I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you. Catholic Public Domain Version I, too, can speak like you; and I also wish that your soul favored my soul. New American Bible I also could talk as you do, were you in my place. I could declaim over you, or wag my head at you; New Revised Standard Version I also could talk as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI also could speak as you do; I wish you were in my place, then I could try you out with words, and shake my head at you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I also might speak like you, but, oh that your souls were treated in the place of my soul, and I had tested you with words and I would shake my head at you! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you. Brenton Septuagint Translation I also will speak as ye do: if indeed your soul were in my soul's stead, then would I insult you with words, and I would shake my head at you. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Decries his Comforters…3Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying? 4I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you. 5But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.… Cross References Job 12:4 I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock. Job 13:4-5 You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. / If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! Job 19:2-3 “How long will you torment me and crush me with your words? / Ten times now you have reproached me; you shamelessly mistreat me. Job 21:34 So how can you comfort me with empty words? For your answers remain full of falsehood.” Job 6:14-15 A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. / But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow, Job 17:2 Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must gaze at their rebellion. Job 19:21 Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. Job 30:9-10 And now they mock me in song; I have become a byword among them. / They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face. Job 42:7 After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has. Psalm 35:11-16 Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about. / They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul. / Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. ... Psalm 69:12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards. Psalm 109:25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads. Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. Isaiah 50:6 I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle. Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. / Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? ... Treasury of Scripture I also could speak as you do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you. if your soul Job 6:2-5,14 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! … Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. up words Job 11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Job 35:16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge. Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. shake mine 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. Psalm 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, Psalm 44:14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. Jump to Previous Fine Hard Head Heap Join Joining Nod Shake Shaking Soul Soul's Speak Speeches Stead Together WordsJump to Next Fine Hard Head Heap Join Joining Nod Shake Shaking Soul Soul's Speak Speeches Stead Together WordsJob 16 1. Job reproves his friends for unmercifulness17. He maintains his innocence I could also speak like you if you were in my place; In this phrase, Job is responding to his friends, who have been accusing him of wrongdoing as the cause of his suffering. Job suggests that if the roles were reversed, he could easily speak as they do. This highlights the theme of empathy and understanding, which is a recurring theme in the Bible. The idea of putting oneself in another's place is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). Job's statement underscores the importance of compassion and the danger of making judgments without understanding another's situation. I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, enduring immense suffering and loss. 2. Job's Friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who come to comfort Job but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting his suffering is due to his sins. 3. The Land of Uz The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. 4. Job's Suffering The series of calamities that befall Job, including the loss of his children, wealth, and health, which set the stage for the dialogues in the book. 5. The Dialogue The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, where they debate the reasons for Job's suffering and the nature of God's justice. Teaching Points Empathy in SufferingJob's response to his friends highlights the importance of empathy. We should strive to understand others' pain rather than offering empty platitudes or judgments. The Danger of Assumptions Job's friends assumed his suffering was due to sin. This teaches us to avoid making assumptions about others' circumstances without knowing the full account. The Power of Words Words can either comfort or wound. We should be mindful of how we speak to those who are suffering, choosing words that heal rather than harm. The Role of True Friendship True friends support and listen rather than condemn. We are called to be present and compassionate, offering support without judgment. Reflecting Christ's Compassion As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His compassion and mercy, especially towards those who are suffering, just as God ultimately showed mercy to Job.(4) If your soul.--i.e., person=" If you were in my place, I could heap up words," &c. It is doubtful whether this is in contrast to what comes afterwards in the fifth verse, as in the Authorised Version, or whether it may not be in parallelism with it; thus: "I would make myself a companion to you--condole and sympathise with you. in words, and shake my head at you as a mark of sympathy." The phrase differs somewhat from that in Psalm 22:7; Isaiah 37:22, where to shake the head expresses contempt and derision.Verse 4. - I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you. It is only too easy to heap up rhetorical declamation against an unfortunate sufferer, whose physical and mental agonies absorb almost his whole attention. If you were in my place and condition, and I in yours, I could moralize in your tone and spirit for hours. And shake my head at you. A Hebrew mode of expressing condemnation of a man's conduct (see Psalm 22:7; Isaiah 37:22; Jeremiah 18:16; Matthew 27:39, etc.). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Iאָנֹכִי֮ (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I could also גַּ֤ם ׀ (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and speak אֲדַ֫בֵּ֥רָה (’ă·ḏab·bê·rāh) Verb - Piel - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue like you כָּכֶ֪ם (kā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew if ל֤וּ־ (lū-) Preposition Strong's 3863: If, would that! you נַפְשְׁכֶ֡ם (nap̄·šə·ḵem) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion were יֵ֪שׁ (yêš) Adverb Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is in my נַפְשִׁ֗י (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion place; תַּ֤חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of I could heap up אַחְבִּ֣ירָה (’aḥ·bî·rāh) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular Strong's 2266: To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm words בְּמִלִּ֑ים (bə·mil·lîm) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4405: A word, a discourse, a topic against you עֲלֵיכֶ֣ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against and shake וְאָנִ֥יעָה (wə·’ā·nî·‘āh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular Strong's 5128: To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter my head רֹאשִֽׁי׃ (rō·šî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 7218: The head at you. עֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Links Job 16:4 NIVJob 16:4 NLT Job 16:4 ESV Job 16:4 NASB Job 16:4 KJV Job 16:4 BibleApps.com Job 16:4 Biblia Paralela Job 16:4 Chinese Bible Job 16:4 French Bible Job 16:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 16:4 I also could speak as you do (Jb) |
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