How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

JOB 15:16KJV
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Job 15:16 (KJV)

What does Job 15:16 mean?

Job 15:16 says that human beings are even more corrupt and impure than what has just been described, because people take in wrongdoing as easily and naturally as drinking water. The verse paints a strong picture of humanity’s tendency toward sin and moral failure.

In this verse, Eliphaz is speaking to Job during their debate about suffering and righteousness. Eliphaz argues that if even angels are not pure before God, then humans—who eagerly "drink iniquity"—are far worse. The verse uses vivid language to emphasize how easily people fall into wrongdoing, supporting Eliphaz’s claim that no one can claim to be truly innocent before God.

The Hebrew behind Job 15:16

  • "abominable" (תָּעַב, taʿav): This word means something detestable or loathsome. Eliphaz uses it to stress just how far humans are from being pure in God’s eyes.
  • "filthy" (אַלַּח, allach): This word carries the sense of being morally polluted or defiled, not just physically dirty. It highlights the deep moral stain Eliphaz sees in humanity.
  • "drinketh" (שָׁתָה, shatah): The verb here means to drink, but the image is of someone taking in wrongdoing as easily as water—something essential and frequent, not rare or accidental.
  • "iniquity" (עַוְלָה, avlah): This word refers to injustice, wickedness, or moral wrong. The verse repeats the idea to drive home how naturally people take in what is wrong.

Why Job 15:16 matters

  • Job 15:16 shows how Eliphaz views human nature as deeply flawed, which is key to understanding his arguments throughout the book.
  • The verse uses strong imagery to make the point that sin is not just an occasional slip, but something people take in easily and regularly.
  • This verse connects to the larger debate in Job about whether suffering is always a result of personal sin, and whether anyone can claim to be truly righteous before God.

Where else these words appear

“filthy” Hebrew H444 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
  • Psalms 53:3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

“abominable” Hebrew H8581 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
  • Job 30:10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
  • Psalms 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

“iniquity” Hebrew H5766 · used in 51 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Job 34:10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
  • Isaiah 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.