Job 23:16
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
Original Language Analysis
וְ֭אֵל
For God
H410
וְ֭אֵל
For God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
1 of 5
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
הֵרַ֣ךְ
soft
H7401
הֵרַ֣ךְ
soft
Strong's:
H7401
Word #:
2 of 5
to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively
לִבִּ֑י
maketh my heart
H3820
לִבִּ֑י
maketh my heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 5
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Cross References
Psalms 22:14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.Job 27:2As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;Deuteronomy 20:3And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite anthropology located emotions and will in the heart (lev). A soft heart could mean teachable (2 Chronicles 34:27) or fearful. Job experiences the latter—covenant names (El, Shaddai) providing no assurance. This reflects the insufficiency of old covenant mediation without the perfect High Priest (Hebrews 7:25).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the gospel enable God's name "Almighty" to comfort rather than terrify?
- What is the relationship between a soft heart and spiritual vitality?
- How does Job's experience prepare us to value Christ's mediation?
Analysis & Commentary
For God maketh my heart soft (וְאֵל הֵרַךְ לִבִּי, ve-El herak libbi)—The verb rakak (רָכַךְ) means "to make soft, weak, faint." Paradoxically, this softening isn't tenderness but weakness. The word is used of hearts melting in fear (Deuteronomy 20:3, Joshua 2:11). Job's heart isn't softened by grace but enervated by terror. The phrase the Almighty troubleth me (וְשַׁדַּי הִבְהִילָנִי) uses bahal again—God causes dismay. El (אֵל, God) and Shaddai (שַׁדַּי, Almighty) are covenant names, yet they bring no comfort.
This inverts Ezekiel 36:26's promise: "I will take away the stony heart... and give you a heart of flesh." Job's soft heart brings not responsiveness to grace but paralysis before judgment. This is law without gospel, sovereignty without love. Only Christ resolves this: His hard sayings (John 6:60) drive away superficial followers but melt hard hearts through the Spirit (Acts 2:37, "pricked in their heart").