Is there iniquity on my tongue?Job is defending his integrity and righteousness in the face of his friends' accusations. The tongue, often symbolizing speech and communication, is a recurring theme in Scripture regarding the expression of one's heart (
James 3:5-10). Job is questioning whether he has spoken anything sinful or deceitful. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, words held significant power and were believed to reflect one's inner character. Job's insistence on the purity of his speech underscores his claim to innocence and aligns with the biblical principle that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (
Matthew 12:34).
Can my mouth not discern malice?
Job asserts his ability to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. This reflects the wisdom tradition in which discernment is a valued trait (Proverbs 2:3-5). Job's rhetorical question suggests that he is confident in his moral and spiritual discernment, challenging the accusations of his friends. The ability to discern malice is crucial in maintaining righteousness, as seen in the life of Jesus, who often perceived the intentions of those around Him (John 2:24-25). Job's claim here is a testament to his wisdom and understanding, which he believes are gifts from God, enabling him to navigate his suffering with integrity.
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, known for his immense suffering and perseverance.
2.
Eliphaz, Bildad, and ZopharJob's three friends who visit him to offer counsel and comfort but often end up accusing him of wrongdoing.
3.
UzThe land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.
4.
GodThe sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing and ultimately restores him.
5.
SatanThe adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that his faithfulness is due to his prosperity.
Teaching Points
Guarding Our SpeechJob's question about iniquity on his tongue reminds us of the importance of being mindful of our words. As believers, we should strive to speak truthfully and lovingly.
Discernment in CommunicationJob's ability to discern malice emphasizes the need for discernment in our interactions. We should seek wisdom to understand the intentions behind words, both ours and others'.
Integrity in AdversityDespite his suffering, Job maintains his integrity, challenging us to uphold our values and faith even when facing trials.
Self-ExaminationJob's introspection encourages us to regularly examine our hearts and speech for any hidden sin or malice, seeking God's help in purifying our intentions.
The Role of Friends in SufferingJob's interactions with his friends highlight the importance of offering genuine support and avoiding judgment when others are in distress.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 6:30?
2.How does Job 6:30 challenge us to discern truth in our speech?
3.What role does integrity play in Job's defense in Job 6:30?
4.How can Job 6:30 guide our conversations to reflect Christ-like honesty?
5.Compare Job 6:30 with Proverbs 12:22 on the value of truthful speech.
6.How can we ensure our words align with God's truth, as in Job 6:30?
7.What does Job 6:30 reveal about the nature of truth and integrity in suffering?
8.How does Job 6:30 challenge our understanding of personal righteousness?
9.In what ways does Job 6:30 address the theme of self-examination?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 6?
11.How does the Bible explain evil and suffering?
12.If God's 'arm is not too short' (Isaiah 59:1), why do we see prolonged suffering and injustice without divine intervention in this narrative?
13.Job 30:8 - Do we have evidence of entire groups of 'nameless outcasts' in the Near East during Job's era, or is this an exaggerated literary trope?
14.What constitutes evil speaking?What Does Job 6:30 Mean
Is there iniquity on my tongue?Job fires this first question at his friends as if to say, “Show me exactly where I have spoken wickedly.”
• He has already been described as “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1), so his appeal rests on the consistent testimony of his life.
•Job 27:4 reinforces the claim: “My lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.”
• David offers a similar plea inPsalm 17:3, “I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress,” reminding us that a faithful servant actively guards speech.
• By centering on the tongue, Job highlights a part of human life Scripture treats with gravity—James 3:6 calls it “a fire,” able to corrupt the whole person.
Job’s point: if sin begins with words, and his words are innocent, then the charges of hidden wrongdoing collapse. He is not boasting, but inviting honest scrutiny of every sentence he has spoken since calamity struck.
Can my mouth not discern malice?Job’s second question insists he can recognize spiteful intent both in himself and in others.
• Earlier he declared, “Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?” (Job 12:11)—a principle echoed later by Elihu inJob 34:3. Job trusts the God-given moral sensor in his conscience.
•Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,” implying careful self-examination precedes speech. Job claims he has done exactly that.
• When Saul hunted David, David protested, “There is no evil in my hand” (1 Samuel 24:11). Job stands in the same tradition: he can tell the difference between honest lament and rebellious blasphemy, and he rejects the latter.
• His friends have suggested his words border on insolence (Job 4:2–6). Job counters that if there were malicious sarcasm or curses on his lips, he would detect it and repent.
summaryJob 6:30 records a twofold defense. First, he denies that any sinful speech has escaped his lips. Second, he affirms his God-shaped ability to recognize malice, whether incoming or outgoing. Put together, these statements expose the weakness of his friends’ accusations: no corruption taints his words, and no malicious motives lurk within. He remains confident that an all-seeing God will vindicate the integrity both of his speech and of his heart.
(30)
Is there iniquity?--Or,
injustice in my tongue? Is my taste so perverted that it cannot perceive what is perverse?"Ye appear to think that I am wholly incapable of judging my own cause because it is my own; but if ye will only condescend to return in due course, ye shall find that I know what is right as well as you, and that there is no more vicious reasoning in me than there is with you, and probably less." It is difficult to draw out the argument of Job in the logical form of our Western thought, and to trace the line of connection running through it. If we look at it in detail--as we must in order to explain it--then we are apt to look at it piecemeal, and miss the thread; but in point of fact it is just this very thread which it is so difficult to detect and retain from one chapter to another.
Verse 30. -
Is there iniquity in my tongue? (see ver. 26). Job now justifies his words, which previously he had admitted to have been "rash" (ver. 3). Perhaps he intends to distinguish between rashness and actual wickedness.
Cannot my taste discern perverse things?i.e. I see no perversity or wickedness in what I have said. If there were any, I think I should discern it The reasoning is somewhat dangerous, since men are not infallible judges, not being unprejudiced judges, in their own case. Job's ultimate verdict on himself is that he has "uttered that which he understood not" (
Job 42:3) - wherefore he "abhors himself, and repents in dust and ashes" (
Job 42:6).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Is thereהֲיֵשׁ־(hă·yêš-)Adverb
Strong's 3426:Being, substance, existence, isiniquityעַוְלָ֑ה(‘aw·lāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5766:Injustice, unrighteousnesson my tongue?בִּלְשׁוֹנִ֥י(bil·šō·w·nî)Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3956:The tongueCanאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notmy mouthחִ֝כִּ֗י(ḥik·kî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2441:Palate, roof of the mouth, gumsnotלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nodiscernיָבִ֥ין(yā·ḇîn)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 995:To separate mentally, understandmalice?הַוּֽוֹת׃(haw·wō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1942:Desire, chasm, destruction
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OT Poetry: Job 6:30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't (Jb) 
