Job 35:16
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֭אִיּוֹב
Therefore doth Job
H347
וְ֭אִיּוֹב
Therefore doth Job
Strong's:
H347
Word #:
1 of 8
ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
הֶ֣בֶל
in vain
H1892
הֶ֣בֶל
in vain
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
2 of 8
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
פִּ֑יהוּ
his mouth
H6310
פִּ֑יהוּ
his mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
4 of 8
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
בִּבְלִי
without
H1097
בִּבְלִי
without
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom tradition valued concise, weighty speech over verbosity. Proverbs 10:19: "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin." Ecclesiastes 5:2-3: "Be not rash with thy mouth... a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Yet lament psalms and prophetic oracles could be lengthy. The issue isn't word count but whether speech aligns with divine truth. Job's speeches, though extensive, God vindicates as substantially right (42:7). Elihu and friends spoke much but missed truth—demonstrating form doesn't guarantee content.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we discern when extensive speech is necessary lament versus vain multiplication of words?
- What does God's vindication of Job teach about speaking honestly in suffering?
- How does Christ as God's perfect Word (John 1:1, 14) relativize all human theological speech?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain (וְאִיּוֹב הֶבֶל יִפְצֶה־פִּיהוּ, ve-Iyyov hevel yiphtseh-pihu)—The noun hevel (הֶבֶל, vanity, breath, emptiness) is Ecclesiastes' key word—all is vanity. The verb patsah (פָּצָה, "to open wide") suggests excessive speech. The phrase he multiplieth words without knowledge (בִּבְלִי־דַעַת מִלִּין יַכְבִּר, bivli-da'at millin yakhbir) uses kavar (כָּבַר, "to multiply, make many"). Elihu accuses Job of verbose ignorance. Yet God vindicates Job's speech (42:7), showing Elihu's judgment was premature and partially wrong. This teaches the danger of judging others' theology while in the midst of their suffering.
The charge of multiplying words without knowledge will ironically fall on Elihu himself when God speaks (38:2 parallels this language, though directed at Job). We all speak with incomplete understanding (1 Corinthians 13:9, "we know in part"). The gospel provides humility: we depend on divine revelation, not human wisdom. Christ, God's ultimate Word (John 1:1), alone speaks with perfect knowledge. Our theological speech must maintain epistemic modesty, recognizing the limits of human understanding while trusting divine self-disclosure in Scripture.