Job 16:5

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief.

American King James Version (AKJV)

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief.

American Standard Version (ASV)

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief .

Basic English Translation (BBE)

I might give you strength with my mouth, and not keep back the comfort of my lips.

Webster's Revision

But I would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief.

World English Bible

but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

English Revised Version (ERV)

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage your grief.

Definitions for Job 16:5

Asswage - To settle down; subside; hold back.

Clarke's Job 16:5 Bible Commentary

I would strengthen you with my mouth - Mr. Good translates thus: -

"With my own mouth will I overpower you,

Till the quivering of my lips shall fail;"

for which rendering he contends in his learned notes. This translation is countenanced by the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions.

Barnes's Job 16:5 Bible Commentary

(But I would strengthen you with my mouth With that which proceeds from the mouth - words.

And the moving of my lips - My speaking - implying that it would have been done in a mild, gentle, kind manner - so that the lips would appear just to move. Others, however, have given a different interpretation. Thus, Dr. Good renders it:

"With my own mouth will I overpower you,

Till the quivering of my lips shall fall."

But the common interpretation is to be preferred. The word rendered "moving" ניד nı̂yd is from נוּד nûd - "to move," "agitate," and hence, denotes "motion." It denotes here the motion of the lips when we speak. Gesenius renders it, "consolation," "comfort" - because this is expressed by a motion of the head.

Should assuage your grief - The word used here (יחשׂך yachâśak) means properly "to hold back," "to restrain;" Job 7:11. Here it is correctly rendered, meaning that he would hold back, or check their sorrows. In other words, he would sustain them.