Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

JOB 6:30KJV
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Job 6:30 (KJV)

What does Job 6:30 mean?

Job 6:30 shows Job insisting that he can tell right from wrong and that he is not speaking wickedly. Job asks if there is any iniquity in his words and claims that his ability to "taste" or discern should be able to recognize what is perverse or twisted.

Job is speaking to his friends, who have accused him of wrongdoing. He defends himself by saying he knows the difference between good and evil, just as the tongue can taste food. Job is arguing that his complaints are not sinful or foolish, but come from someone who can judge what is truly wrong.

The Hebrew behind Job 6:30

  • "iniquity" (עַוְלָה, 'avlah): This word means injustice or moral wrong. Job is asking if there is any real wrongdoing in what he says, not just something his friends disagree with.
  • "taste" (חֵךְ, chekh): Literally "palate" or "taste," this word is used here as a metaphor for discernment or judgment, suggesting Job believes he has the ability to judge what is perverse.
  • "discern" (בִּין, bin): This word means to understand or distinguish. Job claims he can recognize perverse things, reinforcing that he is not confused or deceived about his own words.
  • "things" (הַוָּה, havvah): This word often means mischief or calamity, but here it refers to perverse or wicked things. Job is saying he can identify what is truly wrong or twisted.

Why Job 6:30 matters

  • Job 6:30 clarifies that Job is not blindly defending himself but is appealing to his own moral awareness and discernment, challenging his friends' accusations.
  • The verse emphasizes Job's confidence in his integrity and his frustration at being misunderstood or falsely accused by those close to him.
  • This statement connects to the wider passage, where Job repeatedly insists on his innocence and struggles with the simplistic explanations offered by his friends.

Where else these words appear

“things” Hebrew H1942 · used in 16 verses

  • Job 6:2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
  • Psalms 52:7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
  • Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

“taste” Hebrew H2441 · used in 18 verses

  • Job 12:11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
  • Job 34:3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
  • Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

“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.

“tongue” Hebrew H3956 · used in 115 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Psalms 45:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
  • Proverbs 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.