Bible Strands
Job 11:3
Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Zophar speaks to Job in the midst of their debate, directly responding to Job 11:2 where Zophar himself questions whether a long speech should go unanswered and be vindicated. Zophar challenges Job's right to dominate the conversation while dismissing his friends' counsel.
The words — The text centers on בַּדֶּיךָ (ba.dêykha, "your empty boasts") and תִּלְעַג (til'ag, "you mock") to describe Job's speech as vain and contemptuous. It asks whether these boasts should silence other men (מְתִים, me.tîm) in the absence of one who puts to shame (מַכְלִים, makh.lîm).
The thread — The dynamic of mockery and speech appears in Job 17:2, where mockers surround Job, and Job 12:4, where Job becomes a laughingstock to his friends. Zophar's own accusation in Job 13:4 extends this thread by labeling his companions as worthless physicians who smear with lies.
Why it lands — The verse states plainly that dominating dialogue through empty boasts and mockery invites rebuke rather than vindication. It requires a reader to assess whether their words seek to silence others or remain open to correction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Cross-references
- Job 17:2 Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must gaze at their rebellion.
- Job 12:4 I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.
- Job 13:4 You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
- Job 13:9 Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?
- Job 15:2 “Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill his belly with the hot east wind?
- Job 21:3 Bear with me while I speak; then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking.
- Job 24:25 If this is not so, then who can prove me a liar and reduce my words to nothing?”
- Job 34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
- Psalms 35:16 Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.
- Psalms 83:16 Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD.