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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 15:5 For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/15-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/18_Job_15_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 15:5 - Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/15-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/15-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/15-4.htm" title="Job 15:4">◄</a> Job 15:5 <a href="/job/15-6.htm" title="Job 15:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Your sins are telling your mouth what to say. Your words are based on clever deception.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For your iniquity teaches your mouth, And you choose the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“For your wrongdoing teaches your mouth, And you choose the language of the cunning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For your guilt teaches your mouth, And you choose the language of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For your guilt teaches your mouth, And you choose the language of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For your iniquity teaches your mouth, And you choose the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“For your guilt teaches your mouth, And you choose [to speak] the language of the crafty <i>and</i> cunning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your iniquity teaches you what to say, and you choose the language of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your iniquity teaches you what to say, and you choose the language of the crafty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And your sinful, scheming mind is the source of all you say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Your sin teaches you what to say. You choose [to talk with] a sly tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Your wickedness is evident by what you say; you are trying to hide behind clever words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Because your sin dictates your speech, you have chosen the language of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Your sin inspires your mouth; you choose the language of the crafty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For thy mouth uttereth thy iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For your mouth teaches your iniquity, "" And you choose the tongue of the cunning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For thy mouth teacheth thine iniquity, And thou chooseth the tongue of the subtile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For thy mouth will accustom itself to thine iniquity, and thou wilt choose the tongue of the crafty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For thy iniquity hath taught thy mouth, and thou imitatest the tongue of blasphemers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For your iniquity has mislead your mouth, and you imitate the tongue of blasphemers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Because your wickedness instructs your mouth, and you choose to speak like the crafty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For your mouth is accustomed to utter sinful things, and you choose the deceitful tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because sin will teach your mouth and you delight in a tongue of deceit<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou art guilty by the words of thy mouth, neither hast thou discerned the words of the mighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/15-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=2268" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/15.htm">Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>But you even undermine the fear of God and hinder meditation before Him. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nə·ḵā (N-csc:: 2ms) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">your iniquity</a> <a href="/hebrew/502.htm" title="502: yə·’al·lêp̄ (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To learn. A primitive root, to associate with; hence, to learn.">instructs</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p̄î·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">your mouth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: wə·ṯiḇ·ḥar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-2ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">and you choose</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: lə·šō·wn (N-csc) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">the language</a> <a href="/hebrew/6175.htm" title="6175: ‘ă·rū·mîm (Adj-mp) -- Crafty, shrewd, sensible. Passive participle of aram; cunning.">of the crafty.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31-32</a></span><br />The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2-4</a></span><br />Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-37</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-8</a></span><br />In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Proverbs 15:2</a></span><br />The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3</a></span><br />The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13-14</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12-14</a></span><br />A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, / winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. / With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Proverbs 12:13</a></span><br />An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Psalm 10:7</a></span><br />His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a></span><br />But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-7.htm">Proverbs 18:7</a></span><br />A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/59-12.htm">Psalm 59:12</a></span><br />By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For your mouth utters your iniquity, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.</p><p class="hdg">uttereth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Job 9:22-24</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> one <i>thing</i>, therefore I said <i>it</i>, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-6.htm">Job 12:6</a></b></br> The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth <i>abundantly</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21,22</a></b></br> For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, … </p><p class="hdg">thou choosest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-19.htm">Psalm 50:19,20</a></b></br> Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2-4</a></b></br> Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3</a></b></br> Who whet their tongue like a sword, <i>and</i> bend <i>their bows to shoot</i> their arrows, <i>even</i> bitter words:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/10-44.htm">Adopt</a> <a href="/job/9-14.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/psalms/65-4.htm">Choosest</a> <a href="/job/7-15.htm">Chooseth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/job/6-30.htm">Crafty</a> <a href="/job/13-7.htm">False.</a> <a href="/job/13-9.htm">Guided</a> <a href="/job/11-6.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/job/14-17.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Language</a> <a href="/job/13-7.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/exodus/25-2.htm">Prompts</a> <a href="/job/14-17.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/job/5-12.htm">Subtile</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-35.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-35.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/job/13-19.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-27.htm">Uttereth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Adopt</a> <a href="/job/29-25.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/job/34-33.htm">Choosest</a> <a href="/psalms/47-4.htm">Chooseth</a> <a href="/job/36-21.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Crafty</a> <a href="/job/27-4.htm">False.</a> <a href="/job/31-18.htm">Guided</a> <a href="/job/20-27.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/job/15-16.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/19-3.htm">Language</a> <a href="/job/15-6.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Prompts</a> <a href="/job/19-28.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Subtile</a> <a href="/job/35-11.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/job/35-11.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/job/20-12.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/psalms/19-2.htm">Uttereth</a><div class="vheading2">Job 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/15-1.htm">Eliphaz reproves Job for impiety in justifying himself</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/15-17.htm">He proves by tradition the restlessness of wicked men</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For your iniquity instructs your mouth</b><br>This phrase suggests that the speaker, Eliphaz, is accusing Job of allowing his sin to guide his speech. In the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz is one of Job's friends who believes that suffering is a direct result of sin. This reflects the retributive justice theology common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where it was assumed that good is rewarded and evil is punished. The idea that iniquity can influence one's words is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a>, where Jesus states, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." This connection highlights the biblical theme that inner moral and spiritual states manifest outwardly.<p><b>and you choose the language of the crafty</b><br>Here, Eliphaz accuses Job of deliberately using deceitful or cunning language. The term "crafty" is reminiscent of the serpent in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3:1</a>, which was described as "more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made." This allusion suggests a negative connotation, associating Job's speech with deception and manipulation. In the cultural context of the time, wisdom and craftiness were often seen as two sides of the same coin, with true wisdom being aligned with righteousness and craftiness with deceit. This accusation by Eliphaz is part of the broader dialogue in Job, where the friends attempt to explain Job's suffering through their understanding of divine justice, contrasting with Job's insistence on his innocence.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/eliphaz_the_temanite.htm">Eliphaz the Temanite</a></b><br>One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking, accusing Job of sin and suggesting that his suffering is a result of his own wrongdoing.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is considered to be a man of wisdom and understanding.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_accusation.htm">The Accusation</a></b><br>Eliphaz accuses Job of speaking deceitfully and suggests that his words are influenced by sin, implying that Job's suffering is a consequence of his own actions.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>This verse is part of a larger dialogue between Job and his friends, where they debate the nature of suffering, righteousness, and divine justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Our words can reflect the state of our hearts. It is crucial to guard our speech and ensure it aligns with righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>In times of suffering, it is important to examine our own hearts and actions, seeking God's wisdom to understand if there is any sin that needs to be addressed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_false_accusations.htm">Avoiding False Accusations</a></b><br>Like Eliphaz, we must be cautious not to jump to conclusions about others' suffering, assuming it is always a result of personal sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_wisdom.htm">Seeking God's Wisdom</a></b><br>In complex situations, seek God's wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding or assumptions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_friends.htm">The Role of Friends</a></b><br>Friends should offer support and encouragement, not just criticism, especially in times of distress.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_suffering.htm">Why does God allow injustice and suffering to persist?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_view_evil.htm">How does the Bible explain evil and suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_prolonged_suffering.htm">If God's 'arm is not too short' (Isaiah 59:1), why do we see prolonged suffering and injustice without divine intervention in this narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_christianity's_apostolic_age.htm">What role does Satan play in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity.</span>--These words may mean either "Thy mouth teacheth thine iniquity," or "Thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth," and the second clause must be taken adversatively or otherwise according as we understand the meaning, "Thy mouth proclaimeth thine iniquity, though thou choosest the tongue of the crafty, and so contrivest in some degree to conceal it;" or, "Thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth its eloquence, and by consequence thou choosest the tongue of the crafty." We incline to the latter, though it is fair to say that the next verse seems rather to favour the other meaning.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity</span>. Some render, "Thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth," causing it to utter such profane speeches (Vulgate, Dillmann, Canon Cook, Revised Version); but the translation of the Authorized Version is defensible on grammatical grounds, and yields a good sense, so that no alteration is necessary<span class="cmt_word">. And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty</span>; or, <span class="accented">the tongue of the subtle</span> (comp. <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1</a>, where the epithet assigned to the serpent is the same). Eliphaz probably means to tax Job with cloaking his real impiety under a pretence of religiousness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/15-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your iniquity</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺנְךָ֣</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wō·nə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">instructs</span><br /><span class="heb">יְאַלֵּ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(yə·’al·lêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_502.htm">Strong's 502: </a> </span><span class="str2">To learn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your mouth,</span><br /><span class="heb">פִ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(p̄î·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and you choose</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝תִבְחַ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯiḇ·ḥar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, select</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the language</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשׁ֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the crafty.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲרוּמִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·rū·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6175.htm">Strong's 6175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Crafty, shrewd, sensible</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/15-5.htm">OT Poetry: Job 15:5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/15-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 15:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 15:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/15-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 15:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 15:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>