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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 15:16 how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/15-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/18_Job_15_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 15:16 - Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.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/15-15.htm" title="Job 15:15">◄</a> Job 15:16 <a href="/job/15-17.htm" title="Job 15:17">►</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 />how much less mortals, who are vile and corrupt, who drink up evil like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person with a thirst for wickedness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />How much more abominable and filthy <i>is</i> man, which drinketh iniquity like water?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How much less man, <i>who is</i> abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />How much less one who is detestable and corrupt: A person who drinks malice like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />How much less one who is detestable and corrupt, Man, who drinks iniquity like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />How much less one who is detestable and corrupt, Man, who drinks iniquity like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How much less one who is abominable and corrupt, Man, who drinks unrighteousness like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />How much less [pure and clean is] the one who is repulsive and corrupt, Man, who drinks unrighteousness <i>and</i> injustice like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much less one who is revolting and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much less one who is revolting and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How much less one that is abominable and corrupt, A man that drinketh iniquity like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />what chance do humans have? We are so terribly evil that we thirst for sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How much less one that is abominable and corrupt, a man that drinketh iniquity like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />how much less will he trust the one who is disgusting and corrupt, the one who drinks wickedness like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And we drink evil as if it were water; yes, we are corrupt; we are worthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />then how much less is one who is abhorred and corrupted, such as a man who drinks injustice like water?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />how much less man, who is abominable and corrupt, who drinks in evil like water! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How much more abominable and filthy is man, who drinketh iniquity like water?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Also—surely abominable and filthy "" Is man drinking perverseness as water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Also -- surely abominable and filthy Is man drinking as water perverseness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />How much more abominable and corrupt is man drinking iniquity as water!<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />How much more is man abominable, and unprofitable, who drinketh iniquity like water? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />How much more abominable and useless is the man who drinks as if from the water of iniquity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How much less so is the abominable and corrupt: people who drink in iniquity like water! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, one who drinks iniquity like water!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Even though man should be rejected and afflicted, yet he shall drink iniquity like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Even if, rejected and afflicted, a man will drink evil as water<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />How much less one that is abominable and impure, Man who drinketh iniquity like water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Alas then, abominable and unclean is man, drinking unrighteousness as a draught.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/15-16.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=2333" 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">15</span>If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes, <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">how much less</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš- (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8581.htm" title="8581: niṯ·‘āḇ (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To abhor. A primitive root; to loathe, i.e. detest.">who is vile</a> <a href="/hebrew/444.htm" title="444: wə·ne·’ĕ·lāḥ (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be corrupt (morally). A primitive root; to muddle, i.e. to turn corrupt.">and corrupt,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: šō·ṯeh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">who drinks</a> <a href="/hebrew/5766.htm" title="5766: ‘aw·lāh (N-fs) -- Injustice, unrighteousness. Or lavel; and lavlah; or owlah; or.olah; from aval; evil.">injustice</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ḵam·ma·yim (Prep-k, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">like water?</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen,…<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="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/14-3.htm">Psalm 14:3</a></span><br />All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20</a></span><br />Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a></span><br />As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5</a></span><br />Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a></span><br />For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-3.htm">Ephesians 2:3</a></span><br />All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a></span><br />For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinks iniquity like water?</p><p class="hdg">abominable</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/4-19.htm">Job 4:19</a></b></br> How much less <i>in</i> them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation <i>is</i> in the dust, <i>which</i> are crushed before the moth?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/42-6.htm">Job 42:6</a></b></br> Wherefore I abhor <i>myself</i>, and repent in dust and ashes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Psalm 14:1-3</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, <i>A Psalm</i> of David. The fool hath said in his heart, <i>There is</i> no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, <i>there is</i> none that doeth good… </p><p class="hdg">drinketh</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/20-12.htm">Job 20:12</a></b></br> Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, <i>though</i> he hide it under his tongue;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-7.htm">Job 34:7</a></b></br> What man <i>is</i> like Job, <i>who</i> drinketh up scorning like water?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Proverbs 19:28</a></b></br> An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/33-2.htm">Abominable</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/27-2.htm">Corrupt</a> <a href="/ezra/9-14.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/job/9-31.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/job/6-4.htm">Drinketh</a> <a href="/job/1-18.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/job/6-4.htm">Drinks</a> <a href="/job/11-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/revelation/22-11.htm">Filthy</a> <a href="/job/14-4.htm">Impure</a> <a href="/job/15-5.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/job/15-4.htm">Less</a> <a href="/job/13-7.htm">Perverseness</a> <a href="/job/14-18.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/job/14-4.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/job/11-14.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/esther/7-6.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/job/14-19.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Abominable</a> <a href="/job/15-34.htm">Corrupt</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/job/19-17.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/job/21-20.htm">Drinketh</a> <a href="/psalms/69-12.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/job/34-7.htm">Drinks</a> <a href="/job/15-20.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/14-3.htm">Filthy</a> <a href="/psalms/14-3.htm">Impure</a> <a href="/job/15-35.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/job/25-6.htm">Less</a> <a href="/job/27-4.htm">Perverseness</a> <a href="/job/16-7.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/job/18-3.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/job/22-23.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/job/18-3.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/job/22-7.htm">Water</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>how much less man</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the contrast between God's purity and human sinfulness. In the context of the Book of Job, it highlights the vast difference between divine perfection and human imperfection. The rhetorical question suggests that if even the heavens are not pure in God's sight (<a href="/job/15-15.htm">Job 15:15</a>), how much less so is man. This reflects the biblical theme of human fallibility found in passages like <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, which states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.<p><b>who is vile and corrupt</b><br>The description of man as "vile and corrupt" underscores the inherent sinfulness of humanity. This aligns with the doctrine of original sin, which suggests that all humans inherit a sinful nature due to the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). The Hebrew words used here convey a sense of moral impurity and decay, reinforcing the idea that human nature is fundamentally flawed. This concept is echoed in <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a>, where human righteousness is compared to "filthy rags."<p><b>who drinks injustice like water?</b><br>This vivid metaphor illustrates the ease and naturalness with which humans commit injustice. Just as drinking water is a basic, instinctive act necessary for survival, so too is the propensity for injustice ingrained in human behavior. This imagery is reminiscent of <a href="/proverbs/4-17.htm">Proverbs 4:17</a>, where the wicked are described as consuming violence as if it were food and drink. The metaphor also suggests a habitual and unrepentant engagement in wrongdoing, highlighting the depth of human depravity.<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, undergoing severe trials and questioning the nature of suffering and righteousness.<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, offering his perspective on human nature and suffering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting he is considered wise and knowledgeable.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>The setting at the beginning of the Book of Job where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness, setting the stage for Job's trials.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_friends'_dialogues.htm">The Friends' Dialogues</a></b><br>A series of speeches by Job's friends, including Eliphaz, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom and theology.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_human_nature.htm">Understanding Human Nature</a></b><br>Eliphaz's statement reflects a biblical understanding of human depravity. Recognize that apart from God, humanity is inherently sinful and in need of redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_humility.htm">The Need for Humility</a></b><br>Acknowledge our own sinfulness and the tendency to stray from righteousness. This awareness should lead to humility and dependence on God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_justice.htm">The Role of Justice</a></b><br>Consider how easily injustice can become a part of daily life, as natural as drinking water. Reflect on personal and societal injustices and seek to align actions with God's justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a></b><br>Eliphaz's perspective, while partially true, is limited. Human wisdom can often fail to grasp the full picture of God's purposes and plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_compassionate_counsel.htm">The Importance of Compassionate Counsel</a></b><br>When offering advice or comfort, be mindful of the complexity of human suffering and the need for empathy and understanding, rather than simplistic explanations.<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/how_does_psalm_1's_justice_align_with_job.htm">How can Psalm 1's vision of immediate justice be reconciled with biblical accounts like Job, where the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_job_15_14-16_and_genesis_1_31_align.htm">In Job 15:14–16, how do Eliphaz’s claims about universal impurity align with Genesis 1:31, which pronounces creation “very good”? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_injustice_to_persist.htm">In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">How much more abominable and filthy is man . . .</span>--This strong language, thus couched in general terms, is doubtless intended to reflect on Job, otherwise it would not need to have been so strong.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like</span> <span class="cmt_word">water?</span> rather, <span class="accented">How much less one that is abominable and impure</span> <span class="accented">a man that drinketh in iniquity</span> <span class="accented">etc.?</span> It cannot be doubted that Job is individually pointed at. Not mankind generally, but a particular man, is intended; and the particular man can be none other than Job. Thus we see how the progress of the controversy has tended to exasperate the disputants, and change the "comforters" from smooth-tongued friends into open enemies and accusers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/15-16.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">how much less</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֭ף</span> <span class="translit">(’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִישׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(’îš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who is vile</span><br /><span class="heb">נִתְעָ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(niṯ·‘āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8581.htm">Strong's 8581: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loathe, detest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and corrupt,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ne·’ĕ·lāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">To muddle, to turn, corrupt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who drinks</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁתֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ṯeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> </span><span class="str2">To imbibe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">injustice</span><br /><span class="heb">עַוְלָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘aw·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5766.htm">Strong's 5766: </a> </span><span class="str2">Injustice, unrighteousness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like water?</span><br /><span class="heb">כַמַּ֣יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ḵam·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/15-16.htm">Job 15:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/15-16.htm">OT Poetry: Job 15:16 How much less one who is abominable (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/15-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 15:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 15:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/15-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 15:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 15:17" /></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>