Job 16:10
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
Original Language Analysis
פָּעֲר֬וּ
They have gaped
H6473
פָּעֲר֬וּ
They have gaped
Strong's:
H6473
Word #:
1 of 9
to yawn, i.e., open wide (literally or figuratively)
עָלַ֨י׀
H5921
עָלַ֨י׀
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּפִיהֶ֗ם
upon me with their mouth
H6310
בְּפִיהֶ֗ם
upon me with their mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
3 of 9
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
הִכּ֣וּ
they have smitten
H5221
הִכּ֣וּ
they have smitten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 9
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
לְחָיָ֑י
me upon the cheek
H3895
לְחָיָ֑י
me upon the cheek
Strong's:
H3895
Word #:
6 of 9
the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone
יַ֝֗חַד
themselves together
H3162
יַ֝֗חַד
themselves together
Strong's:
H3162
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly
Cross References
Psalms 35:15But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:Psalms 22:13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Acts 23:2And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.Lamentations 3:30He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.Micah 5:1Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.2 Corinthians 11:20For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.1 Kings 22:24But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
Historical Context
The 'smiting of the cheek' appears in multiple biblical contexts as supreme mockery. When the high priest's servant struck Jesus (John 18:22), and when soldiers struck Him (Mark 14:65), they enacted the same degradation Job experienced. Ancient honor-shame cultures considered this assault worse than physical harm—it destroyed social standing.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Job's descriptions of mockery and violence illuminate Christ's passion?
- What forms of 'smiting the cheek' occur in modern contexts where honor and dignity are stripped?
- Why does God allow His innocent servants to endure public humiliation and shame?
Analysis & Commentary
They have gaped upon me with their mouth (פָּעֲרוּ עָלַי בְּפִיהֶם, pa'aru 'alay befihem)—The verb פָּעַר (pa'ar) means 'to open wide, gape' like a predator's maw. This same imagery appears in Psalm 22:13 ('they gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion')—the messianic psalm Jesus quoted on the cross.
They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully (בְּחֶרְפָּה הִכּוּ לְחָיָי, becherpa hikku lechayai)—Striking the cheek (לְחִי, lechi) was the ultimate insult in ancient Near Eastern culture, denying someone's dignity and honor. The servant in Isaiah 50:6 receives this same abuse: 'I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.' Job's humiliation prefigures Christ's.