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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 11:2 "Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/11-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/18_Job_11_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 11:2 - Zophar Rebukes Job" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?" /><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/11-2.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/11-2.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/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 2</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="/ad2.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/11-1.htm" title="Job 11:1">◄</a> Job 11:2 <a href="/job/11-3.htm" title="Job 11:3">►</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/11.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/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a talkative man be acquitted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Shall a multitude of words go unanswered, And a man of lips be in the right?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Shall a multitude of words not be answered? And should a talkative man [making such a long-winded defense] be acquitted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Should this abundance of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So much foolish talk cannot go unanswered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Shouldn't someone answer this flood of words? Should a good public speaker be acquitted?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Shouldn't a multitude of words be answered, or a person who talks too much be vindicated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Should not this abundance of words be answered, or should this talkative man be vindicated? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall not the multitude of words be answered? and shall a man of lips be justified?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Will he who speaks much, not also listen? Or will a talkative man be justified?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Should not many words be answered, or must the garrulous man necessarily be right? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The LORD does not answer because of the multitude of words, neither can a fluent speaker be justified by his discourse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“Do not answer with a multitude of words, also no man speaking is justified with his answer<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be accounted right?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that speaks much, should also hear on the other side: or does the fluent speaker think himself to be righteous? blessed <i>is</i> the short lived offspring of woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/11-2.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=1643" 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/11.htm">Zophar Rebukes Job</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7230.htm" title="7230: hă·rōḇ (Art:: N-msc) -- Multitude, abundance, greatness. From rabab; abundance.">“Should this stream</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇā·rîm (N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">of words</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">go unanswered</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: yê·‘ā·neh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond."></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">and such</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.">a speaker</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄ā·ṯa·yim (N-fd) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6663.htm" title="6663: yiṣ·dāq (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be just or righteous. A primitive root; to be right.">be vindicated?</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?…<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/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a></span><br />When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Proverbs 18:2</a></span><br />A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-20.htm">Proverbs 29:20</a></span><br />Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:3</a></span><br />As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a></span><br />My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Proverbs 17:27-28</a></span><br />A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. / Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.<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="/proverbs/12-23.htm">Proverbs 12:23</a></span><br />A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-1.htm">James 3:1-2</a></span><br />Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. / We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Proverbs 14:29</a></span><br />A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12-14</a></span><br />The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. / Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26</a></span><br />If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?</p><p class="hdg">the multitude</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/16-3.htm">Job 16:3</a></b></br> Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/18-2.htm">Job 18:2</a></b></br> How long <i>will it be ere</i> ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/140-11.htm">Psalm 140:11</a></b></br> Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow <i>him</i>.</p><p class="hdg">full of talk.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/9-29.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-28.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/job/10-15.htm">Full</a> <a href="/james/2-25.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/job/6-30.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/job/4-14.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/job/10-3.htm">Right</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/job/7-11.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/titus/1-10.htm">Talkative</a> <a href="/acts/24-1.htm">Talker</a> <a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Vindicated</a> <a href="/job/10-1.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/34-6.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/job/23-7.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/job/14-1.htm">Full</a> <a href="/job/13-18.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/job/11-5.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/job/31-34.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/job/11-13.htm">Right</a> <a href="/job/21-4.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/job/11-3.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/psalms/140-11.htm">Talkative</a> <a href="/acts/14-12.htm">Talker</a> <a href="/job/13-18.htm">Vindicated</a> <a href="/job/11-3.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Job 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/11-1.htm">Zophar reproves Job for justifying himself</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/11-5.htm">God's wisdom is unsearchable</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/11-13.htm">The assured blessing of repentance</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/11.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/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Should this stream of words go unanswered</b><br>In the context of the Book of Job, this phrase is part of Zophar the Naamathite's response to Job. Zophar is one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him but end up debating with him about the reasons for his suffering. The "stream of words" refers to Job's lengthy speeches defending his innocence and questioning God's justice. In ancient Near Eastern culture, dialogue and debate were common methods for exploring theological and philosophical issues. Zophar's rhetorical question suggests that he believes Job's complaints and arguments should not be left unchallenged. This reflects a cultural expectation that claims, especially those challenging divine justice, must be addressed.<p><b>and such a speaker be vindicated?</b><br>Zophar implies that Job's assertions should not be justified or accepted without scrutiny. In the broader biblical narrative, vindication often involves divine approval or justification. Zophar assumes that Job's suffering is a result of sin, a common belief in the retributive justice system of the time, where suffering was seen as a direct consequence of wrongdoing. This perspective is challenged throughout the Book of Job, which ultimately reveals that suffering can occur for reasons beyond human understanding. The question of vindication also points forward to the New Testament, where ultimate vindication is found in Christ, who justifies believers through faith (<a href="/romans/5.htm">Romans 5:1</a>). Zophar's challenge to Job foreshadows the greater theological question of how humans can be justified before God, a theme that is central to the gospel message.<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/z/zophar_the_naamathite.htm">Zophar the Naamathite</a></b><br>One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this verse, Zophar is responding to Job's previous speeches, challenging Job's assertions and questioning his integrity.<br><br>3. <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 reasons for Job's suffering and the nature of God's justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words have the power to build up or tear down. Zophar's challenge to Job reminds us to consider the impact of our words and whether they align with truth and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_before_speaking.htm">Listening Before Speaking</a></b><br>Zophar's response highlights the importance of listening carefully before responding, especially in matters of deep personal and spiritual significance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_wisdom.htm">Seeking God's Wisdom</a></b><br>In times of confusion and suffering, it is crucial to seek God's wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding or lengthy arguments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_assumptions.htm">The Danger of Assumptions</a></b><br>Zophar assumes that Job's suffering is due to sin, reminding us to avoid making assumptions about others' circumstances without understanding the full picture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_friends_in_suffering.htm">The Role of Friends in Suffering</a></b><br>Zophar's interaction with Job prompts reflection on how we can be true friends to those who are suffering, offering support without judgment.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_dark_night_of_the_soul.htm">What is the Dark Night of the Soul?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_god_'despise_no_one'_yet_judge.htm">In Job 36:5, how can God 'despise no one' if other scriptures depict His wrath and judgment against certain people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_20_6-7_align_with_history.htm">In Job 20:6-7, how can Zophar's claim that the wicked perish quickly align with historical records showing many oppressive rulers prospered for extended periods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_7_7_conflict_with_resurrection.htm">Does Job 7:7's assertion about the finality of life conflict with later biblical texts that promise resurrection or life after death?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Should not the multitude of words be answered?</span> A "multitude of words" is often reproved in Scripture, and taken as a sign of either folly (<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:8</a>) or sin (<a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a>). Job had certainly been somewhat unduly verbose, and laid himself open to the taunt here launched against him; but neither had brevity been studied by his other friends in their previous answers (ch. 4, 5, and 8.), nor is it greatly studied by Zophar here. <span class="cmt_word">And should a man full of talk be justified?</span> literally, <span class="accented">a man of lips</span> which may mean either "a great talker" or "a man who makes many professions." There is a widespread prejudice against a great orator, and a widespread notion that a good cause does net need many words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/11-2.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">“Should this stream</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲרֹ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(hă·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7230.htm">Strong's 7230: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, abundance, greatness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of words</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּ֭בָרִים</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go unanswered</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and such</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a speaker</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֖ישׁ</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">be vindicated?</span><br /><span class="heb">יִצְדָּֽק׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiṣ·dāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6663.htm">Strong's 6663: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be just or righteous</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/11-2.htm">OT Poetry: Job 11:2 Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/11-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 11:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 11:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/11-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 11:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 11:3" /></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>