Job 36:16

Authorized King James Version

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Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.

Original Language Analysis

וְאַ֤ף H637
וְאַ֤ף
Strong's: H637
Word #: 1 of 12
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
הֲסִיתְךָ֙׀ Even so would he have removed H5496
הֲסִיתְךָ֙׀ Even so would he have removed
Strong's: H5496
Word #: 2 of 12
properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce
מִפִּי thee out of the strait H6310
מִפִּי thee out of the strait
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 3 of 12
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
צָ֗ר H6862
צָ֗ר
Strong's: H6862
Word #: 4 of 12
a pebble (as in h6864)
רַ֭חַב into a broad place H7338
רַ֭חַב into a broad place
Strong's: H7338
Word #: 5 of 12
a width
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מוּצָ֣ק there is no straitness H4164
מוּצָ֣ק there is no straitness
Strong's: H4164
Word #: 7 of 12
narrowness; figuratively, distress
תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ where H8478
תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ where
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 8 of 12
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וְנַ֥חַת and that which should be set H5183
וְנַ֥חַת and that which should be set
Strong's: H5183
Word #: 9 of 12
a descent, i.e., imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food)
שֻׁ֝לְחָנְךָ֗ on thy table H7979
שֻׁ֝לְחָנְךָ֗ on thy table
Strong's: H7979
Word #: 10 of 12
a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal
מָ֣לֵא should be full H4390
מָ֣לֵא should be full
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 11 of 12
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
דָֽשֶׁן׃ of fatness H1880
דָֽשֶׁן׃ of fatness
Strong's: H1880
Word #: 12 of 12
the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e., (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices

Analysis & Commentary

Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait (וְאַף הֲסִיתְךָ מִפִּי־צָר, v'af hasit'kha mi-pi tsar)—Elihu shifts from warning to promise, using the verb hasit (to entice, allure, remove) suggesting God's gracious desire to deliver Job from his narrow place (tsar). The imagery is spatial: moving from confinement to a broad place (רַחַב, rachav), the same word David uses in Psalm 18:19 when God 'brought me forth into a large place.'

Where there is no straitness (תַּחְתֶּיהָ, tachteha)—literally 'under it' or 'instead of it,' emphasizing the contrast between confinement and freedom. The promise continues: that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness (נַחַת שֻׁלְחָנְךָ מָלֵא דָשֶׁן, nachat shulchan'kha male dashen). The word dashen means 'fat, richness, abundance'—the choicest portions reserved for celebration. Elihu argues that if Job would only submit to God's discipline rather than resist it, God would replace his suffering with abundant blessing. This echoes the pattern throughout Scripture where humility leads to exaltation (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6).

Historical Context

The imagery of 'broad place' versus 'narrow place' resonated deeply in ancient Near Eastern culture where spatial freedom represented safety and prosperity. Enclosed spaces (sieges, prisons, narrow passes) meant danger and constraint. The promise of a table full of fatness reflects patriarchal hospitality where abundant food demonstrated blessing and honor (Psalm 23:5).

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