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Job 16

Job 16 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Job 16 is a sharp reply to the speeches of his friends. Job rejects their advice, describes the depth of his suffering, and insists that he has done no wrong. In the middle of his grief, he voices hope that someone in heaven will stand up for him.

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What happens in Job 16?

Job says his friends have offered empty comfort and adds more pain to his suffering. He describes himself as crushed, mocked, and surrounded by enemies, yet he insists that his hands are clean and his prayer is sincere. He cries out for justice and asks that his blood not be forgotten. The chapter reaches a hopeful turn when Job declares that his witness is in heaven and his advocate is on high. Even so, he remains overwhelmed by grief and aware that life is short.

This chapter comes in the middle of the back-and-forth between Job and his friends. After their second round of speeches, Job responds with a deeper lament than before. His words move the book forward by showing both his suffering and his stubborn confidence that God has not left the case unanswered.

Themes to notice

  • False comfortJob shows how words without understanding can deepen another person's pain.
  • Suffering and innocenceHe argues that his misery does not match any violence or guilt on his part.
  • Heavenly advocateJob expresses hope that someone above will testify for him before God.

Questions for Job 16

  • Why does Job call his friends miserable comforters?
  • What does Job say about his own innocence in the middle of his suffering?
  • How does Job's hope in a witness or advocate affect the tone of the chapter?

Read the full text of Job 16 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Job 16

Job Decries His Comforters

1Then Job answered:

2“I have heard many things like these;

miserable comforters are you all.

3Is there no end to your long-winded speeches?

What provokes you to continue testifying?

4I could also speak like you

if you were in my place;

I could heap up words against you

and shake my head at you.

5But I would encourage you with my mouth,

and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.

6Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved,

and if I hold back, how will it go away?

7Surely He has now exhausted me;

You have devastated all my family.

8You have bound me, and it has become a witness;

my frailty rises up and testifies against me.

9His anger has torn me and opposed me;

He gnashes His teeth at me.

My adversary pierces me with His eyes.

10They open their mouths against me

and strike my cheeks with contempt;

they join together against me.

11God has delivered me to unjust men;

He has thrown me to the clutches of the wicked.

12I was at ease, but He shattered me;

He seized me by the neck and crushed me.

He has set me up as His target;

13His archers surround me.

He pierces my kidneys without mercy

and spills my gall on the ground.

14He breaks me with wound upon wound;

He rushes me like a mighty warrior.

15I have sewn sackcloth over my skin;

I have buried my horn in the dust.

16My face is red with weeping,

and deep shadows ring my eyes;

17yet my hands are free of violence

and my prayer is pure.

18O earth, do not cover my blood;

may my cry for help never be laid to rest.

19Even now my witness is in heaven,

and my advocate is on high.

20My friends are my scoffers

as my eyes pour out tears to God.

21Oh, that a man might plead with God

as he pleads with his neighbor!

22For when only a few years are past

I will go the way of no return.

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