Job 11:3
Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Original Language Analysis
מְתִ֣ים
men
H4962
מְתִ֣ים
men
Strong's:
H4962
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
יַחֲרִ֑ישׁו
hold their peace
H2790
יַחֲרִ֑ישׁו
hold their peace
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
3 of 6
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
וַ֝תִּלְעַ֗ג
and when thou mockest
H3932
וַ֝תִּלְעַ֗ג
and when thou mockest
Strong's:
H3932
Word #:
4 of 6
to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
Historical Context
In ancient honor-shame cultures, public shaming was a powerful social control mechanism. Zophar appeals to this, assuming the community should join in silencing Job. The book of Job subverts this cultural expectation by ultimately vindicating Job's speech and condemning the friends' 'correction.'
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between honest lament and mockery of God?
- When does our desire to defend God's honor become an attack on His suffering children?
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Analysis & Commentary
Zophar accuses Job of 'lies' (בַּדִּים, baddim—empty talk, boasting) and 'mocking' (לַעַג, la'ag). This represents a serious escalation—Eliphaz suggested Job might have sinned, Bildad implied it, but Zophar directly accuses Job of lying and mockery. The rhetorical questions demand that someone shame Job into silence. This violates the biblical principle that 'faithful are the wounds of a friend' (Proverbs 27:6)—Zophar wounds not to heal but to silence. The Reformed emphasis on speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) condemns such brutal 'correction.' Zophar confuses Job's honest complaint with mockery of God.