But I would encourage you with my mouthIn this phrase, Job contrasts his desired response to his friends' accusations with their actual behavior. The Hebrew word for "encourage" can also mean to "strengthen" or "support," suggesting a deep, heartfelt intention to uplift. This reflects the biblical principle of using words to build up rather than tear down, as seen in
Proverbs 12:25, which states that a kind word can cheer up an anxious heart. Job's desire to use his mouth for encouragement aligns with the New Testament teaching in
Ephesians 4:29, which instructs believers to speak only what is helpful for building others up.
and the consolation of my lips
The term "consolation" here implies comfort and solace, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. InIsaiah 40:1, God commands His people to "comfort, comfort my people," indicating the divine priority placed on offering consolation. Job's reference to his lips suggests a personal, intimate form of comfort, reminiscent of the way Jesus comforted those around Him with His words, as seen inJohn 14:1-3, where He reassures His disciples of His return and the place He is preparing for them.
would bring relief
The concept of bringing relief is central to the role of a comforter. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, providing relief to someone in distress was a significant social and religious duty. Job's assertion that his words would bring relief highlights the power of speech to transform a person's emotional and spiritual state. This is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus is described as the ultimate source of relief and rest for the weary inMatthew 11:28-30. Job's longing to provide relief foreshadows the ministry of Christ, who offers eternal comfort and rest to all who come to Him.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, enduring immense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.
2.
Job's FriendsEliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who come to comfort Job but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting his suffering is due to sin.
3.
The Land of UzThe setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.
4.
GodThe ultimate authority and sovereign being, whose wisdom and purposes are explored throughout the Book of Job.
5.
Suffering and ConsolationThe broader theme of the book, focusing on human suffering, divine justice, and the search for comfort and understanding.
Teaching Points
The Power of WordsWords have the power to heal or hurt. As believers, we are called to use our words to encourage and uplift others, especially in times of distress.
Empathy in SufferingTrue empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Job's desire to console his friends highlights the importance of empathy in providing comfort.
The Role of Comfort in CommunityIn Christian community, we are called to bear one another's burdens. Offering consolation is a vital part of living out our faith in community.
Reflecting God's ComfortAs recipients of God's comfort, we are tasked with reflecting that comfort to others, becoming conduits of His peace and encouragement.
The Importance of IntentionsOur intentions in offering comfort should be pure and selfless, aiming to genuinely relieve the suffering of others rather than seeking to correct or judge.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 16:5?
2.How can we offer comfort like Job 16:5 suggests in our daily lives?
3.What does Job 16:5 teach about the power of kind words?
4.How does Job 16:5 connect to Proverbs 12:25 on encouraging others?
5.In what ways can we "strengthen" others' spirits as Job 16:5 implies?
6.How can Job 16:5 guide our conversations during others' times of distress?
7.How does Job 16:5 reflect the nature of true comfort and encouragement in suffering?
8.What does Job 16:5 reveal about the role of empathy in friendships?
9.How does Job 16:5 challenge our understanding of God's presence in times of distress?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 16?
11.What does the Bible say about health?
12.Who finds comfort in their sorrow?
13.Proverbs 16:3 promises that committing one's works to the Lord ensures success--why do devout individuals still experience failure, hardship, or tragedy despite their faith?
14.If suffering purifies people, why do some suffer terribly and never grow from it?What Does Job 16:5 Mean
But I would encourage you• Job contrasts his would-be response with the harsh rebukes of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. He insists that, in their place, he would speak courage rather than criticism.
• God’s people are repeatedly called to the same posture: “Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• This flows from the comfort we ourselves receive: “He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
• Practical take-away:
– Notice pain rather than faults.
– Voice confidence in God’s faithfulness.
– Offer words that lift, not load (Romans 1:12).
with my mouth• Job highlights the chosen instrument—spoken words. The tongue can wound or heal: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).
• Scripture insists our speech be guarded: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up” (Ephesians 4:29).
• James warns, “Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!” (James 3:10).
• Practical take-away:
– Pause before speaking.
– Aim for words that match God’s character.
– Remember that spoken truth in love carries eternal weight.
and the consolation of my lips• “Consolation” centers on tender, hopeful language. “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).
• The Servant’s model: “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word” (Isaiah 50:4).
• True comfort directs hearts to the Lord Himself: “May…God our Father…encourage your hearts and strengthen you” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
• Practical take-away:
– Speak Scripture promises aloud.
– Share testimonies of God’s past faithfulness.
– Use gentle tone and timing that fits the sufferer’s need.
would bring relief• Job believes encouraging speech has tangible effect: it “would bring relief.” A “good word cheers” the anxious heart (Proverbs 12:25).
• Ultimate relief is found in Christ: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
• God often delivers that rest through His people’s voices: “God…comforted us by the arrival of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:6).
• Practical take-away:
– Expect God to work through simple, sincere words.
– Trust that compassion expressed in Christ’s name carries His comfort.
summaryJob 16:5 shows a suffering man convinced that gracious, God-centered words can lift another’s burden. Scripture plainly teaches that our mouths are tools for divine encouragement: when we speak comfort grounded in God’s truth, we become channels of His relief.
Verse 5. -
But I would strengthen you with my mouth. The meaning is somewhat doubtful, and different renderings have been proposed. But the rendering of the Authorized Version is quite defensible, and is accepted by our Revisers. This gives the sense, "I, if I were in your place, would not act as you have acted, but, on the contrary, would do my best to strengthen you with words of comfort and encouragement."
The moving of my lips should assuage your grief. (So Rosenmuller and our Revisers.) The words are a covert reproach of the three "friends" for not acting as Job declares that he would have acted if the positions had been reversed.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
But I would encourage youאֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם(’ă·’am·miṣ·ḵem)Verb - Piel - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine plural
Strong's 553:To be stout, strong, bold, alertwithבְּמוֹ־(bə·mōw-)Preposition
Strong's 1119:In, with, bymy mouth,פִ֑י(p̄î)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according toand the consolationוְנִ֖יד(wə·nîḏ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5205:Quivering motion (of lips)of my lipsשְׂפָתַ֣י(śə·p̄ā·ṯay)Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 8193:The lip, language, a marginwould bring relief.יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃(yaḥ·śōḵ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2820:To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe
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OT Poetry: Job 16:5 But I would strengthen you with my (Jb) 
