Job 15:5

My Notes

What Does Job 15:5 Mean?

"For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty." Eliphaz's SECOND speech escalates the accusation: now Job's WORDS are themselves evidence of sin. 'Your mouth TEACHES your iniquity' — your speech reveals your wickedness. Eliphaz moves from arguing that Job's suffering proves his sin (first speech) to arguing that Job's SPEECH proves his sin (second speech). The accusation has shifted from actions to WORDS.

The phrase "thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity" (ki yealeph avonekha phikha — for your iniquity teaches/instructs your mouth) makes the SPEECH the evidence: Eliphaz doesn't just say Job is wrong. He says Job's mouth REVEALS his hidden sin. The words Job speaks are the diagnostic. The lament is the symptom. The theological wrestling that Job considers honest prayer, Eliphaz considers self-incriminating testimony.

The phrase "thou choosest the tongue of the crafty" (vetivchar leshon arumim — you choose the language of the cunning/crafty) accuses Job of DELIBERATE deception: the word ARUM (crafty/cunning) is the word used for the SERPENT in Genesis 3:1 ('the serpent was more subtil/crafty'). Eliphaz is comparing Job's speech to the SERPENT'S speech. The sufferer's honest questioning is equated with the tempter's cunning. The association is devastating.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What honest speech of yours has been labeled as deceptive by people who can't hold your questions?
• 2.What does Eliphaz comparing Job to the SERPENT teach about how rigid theology demonizes honest questioning?
• 3.How does God later validating Job's speech (42:7) while condemning Eliphaz's describe the reversal of theological accusations?
• 4.What theological system in your life requires silence from sufferers — and what would honest speech look like?

Devotional

Eliphaz's accusation ESCALATES: now Job's WORDS are proof of his sin. 'Your iniquity teaches your mouth' — your speech reveals your wickedness. The lament that Job considers honest prayer, Eliphaz considers self-incriminating evidence. The deepest honesty before God is labeled as the deepest deception.

The 'tongue of the CRAFTY' invokes the SERPENT: the Hebrew word 'arum' (crafty/cunning) is the same word used for the serpent in Eden (Genesis 3:1). Eliphaz is saying: you talk like the SNAKE. Your theological questioning sounds like the serpent's questioning of God's word. The friend compares the sufferer to the TEMPTER. The honest lament is equated with satanic subtlety.

The accusation reveals Eliphaz's THEOLOGY: any speech that questions God's justice is itself sinful. Any lament that challenges divine fairness is crafty deception. The theological system cannot accommodate HONEST QUESTIONING. The framework requires silence from sufferers. The system needs Job to say 'God is right, I am wrong' — and any other response is labeled as serpentine.

God will later REJECT this assessment: 42:7 — 'the LORD said to Eliphaz, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.' The man Eliphaz accused of speaking like a serpent is the man GOD says spoke rightly. The friend's accusation is not only wrong. It's the OPPOSITE of right. Job's 'serpentine' speech is God's approved speech.

What honest speech of yours has been labeled as crafty or deceptive by people whose theology can't hold your questions?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture