Job 16:2

Authorized King James Version

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I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

Original Language Analysis

שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי I have heard H8085
שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי I have heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 1 of 6
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כְאֵ֣לֶּה H428
כְאֵ֣לֶּה
Strong's: H428
Word #: 2 of 6
these or those
רַבּ֑וֹת many such things H7227
רַבּ֑וֹת many such things
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 3 of 6
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
מְנַחֲמֵ֖י comforters H5162
מְנַחֲמֵ֖י comforters
Strong's: H5162
Word #: 4 of 6
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
עָמָ֣ל miserable H5999
עָמָ֣ל miserable
Strong's: H5999
Word #: 5 of 6
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
כֻּלְּכֶֽם׃ H3605
כֻּלְּכֶֽם׃
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 6
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

Analysis & Commentary

Job's frustration peaks: 'I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all!' This labels the friends' theology as anti-comfort. Their attempts to explain suffering increase rather than decrease Job's misery. Presence without answers would serve better.

Historical Context

Ancient friendship obligations included comfort in distress. Job's label 'miserable comforters' indicts the friends' covenant failure - they add affliction rather than relief.

Questions for Reflection