Job 15:6 (KJV)

What does Job 15:6 mean?

Job 15:6 means that Job’s own words are proving him wrong, not anything his friend Eliphaz is saying. Eliphaz is telling Job that Job’s complaints and arguments are actually showing his guilt, as if Job’s own mouth is acting as a witness against him.

In this verse, Eliphaz is speaking to Job during their debate about suffering and innocence. Eliphaz claims that Job’s statements are self-condemning, suggesting that Job’s way of talking reveals more about his character than any outside accusation could. This is part of Eliphaz’s broader argument that Job must have done something wrong to deserve his suffering.

The Hebrew behind Job 15:6

• "mouth" (פֶּה, peh): This word refers to Job’s own speech, emphasizing that the evidence against Job comes directly from what he himself says.
• "condemneth" (רָשַׁע, rasha): This word means to declare someone guilty or wicked. Eliphaz is saying that Job’s own words are enough to judge him as guilty.
• "lips" (שָׂפָה, saphah): This highlights that it is not just Job’s general speech, but specifically what he says with his own lips, that is being used as evidence.
• "testify" (עָנָה, anah): This word means to answer or respond, often in a legal sense. Here, it suggests that Job’s statements are like testimony in a courtroom, speaking against himself.

Why Job 15:6 matters

• Job 15:6 shows how Eliphaz tries to turn Job’s own words against him, which is a key tactic in their debate and highlights the tension between friends.
• This verse helps clarify that Eliphaz is not bringing new accusations, but is instead focusing on Job’s own arguments as proof of guilt, which shapes the tone of the conversation.
• Understanding this verse helps the reader see the emotional and rhetorical pressure Job is under, as even his attempts to defend himself are twisted to sound like confessions.