Job 15:6 — Word Study
WLCיַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣ פִ֣יךָ וְלֹא־ אָ֑נִי וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ יַעֲנוּ־ בָֽךְ׃
BSAYour own mouthpeh [lips, the edge of something] notlôʼ mineʼănîy [not I, I am not the one] condemns yourâshaʻ▸ [declares you wicked, testifies against] your own lipssâphâh [language, the words you speak] testifyʻânâh▸ [give witness, respond]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣ | it condemns as guilty you | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| פִ֣יךָ | own mouth your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְלֹא־ | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| אָ֑נִי | I | Pronoun |
| וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ | and own lips your | Conjunction, noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| יַעֲנוּ־ | they testify | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בָֽךְ׃ | against you | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you. |
| KJV | Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. |
| ASV | Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; Yea, thine own lips testify against thee. |
| YLT | Thy mouth declareth thee wicked, and not I, And thy lips testify against thee. |
| WEB | Your own mouth condemns you, and not I. Yes, your own lips testify against you. |
| BBE | It is by your mouth, even yours, that you are judged to be in the wrong, and not by me; and your lips give witness against you. |
Where they part company is יַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣ — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by two subordinate phrases that elaborate on the subjects involved.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
verbעָנָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 15:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Defense Against Accusationgenerated
Job 15:6 presents Job's response to accusations made against him, emphasizing that it is not others who condemn him, but his own words that reveal his guilt. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job defends his integrity and questions the judgments of his friends. The surrounding verses illustrate the tension in their dialogue, as Job confronts the implications of their claims about sin and righteousness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 9:20 | Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty. |
| 2 | Psalm 64:8 | They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads. |
| 3 | Matthew 12:37 | For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” |
| 4 | Matthew 26:65 | At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. |
| 5 | Luke 19:22 | His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣, yar.shi.'a.Khagenerated
The verb רָשַׁע (rasha`) means to be wicked or to act wickedly. In this context, it emphasizes that Job's own mouth is the source of his condemnation, indicating that his words carry the weight of guilt. The parsing as a hiphil imperfect verb suggests an ongoing action of declaring guilt, showing that the act of condemnation is not a one-time event but a continuous implication of his speech.
This construction highlights the personal responsibility of the speaker. Job asserts that it is his own words that testify against him, not an external judgment. This reflects the broader theme in Job of the relationship between speech, truth, and moral accountability.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations of this verse largely agree in conveying the idea that Job's own words are the source of his condemnation.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣ governs the entire verse, establishing the action of condemnation. The structure includes two noun phrases that serve as subjects, indicating the source of the condemnation — Job's mouth and lips — and a prepositional phrase that clarifies against whom the testimony is directed.
The word order emphasizes the personal nature of the accusation. By placing 'your own mouth' first, it underscores that the source of guilt lies within Job himself, rather than being an external judgment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣ with the Greek word σε (G4571), which directly corresponds to the second person pronoun 'you.' This choice maintains the focus on the individual being addressed, reinforcing the personal nature of the accusation.
This rendering suggests a direct confrontation, emphasizing that Job's own words are the basis of his condemnation, in alignment with the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 15:6 tells us that Job's own words are what condemn him, not the words of others. He emphasizes that it is his own mouth and lips that testify against him, highlighting the importance of personal accountability in speech.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is stating that the words he has spoken reveal his guilt, indicating that he is responsible for what he says.
This verse underscores the idea that individuals are responsible for their words and actions, as Job acknowledges that his own speech is what brings about his condemnation.
By saying 'not mine,' Job is distancing himself from the accusations made by others, asserting that it is his own words that are the source of his guilt.
The use of 'testify' indicates that Job's words serve as evidence against him, reinforcing the idea that speech carries weight and consequences.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do my own words reveal my character and intentions?
- How can I ensure that my speech reflects truth and integrity?
- What lessons can I learn from Job's acknowledgment of personal accountability?
- How do the words I use impact my relationships with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early commentary from Gregory the Dialogist interprets this verse to discuss the implications of confession and personal accountability.
Ver. 6. Thine own mouth shall condemn thee, and not I; yea, thine own lips shall answer thee. For because they suppose that the evils of adversity break out in consequence of the erroneousness of confession;Early Church Fathers on Job 15 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 15:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I,.... Or shows thee to be a wicked person, guilty of things charged upon thee; out of thine own mouth thou art convicted, there needs no other evidence to be
Read John Gill on Job 15 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. No pious man would utter such sentiments.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 15 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMy condemnation of thee is grounded upon thine own words.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 15 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 15:6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.Ver. 6. Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I] Yes, you, and none but you. Job’ s heart condemneth him not (and thence his confidence toward God, 1 John 3:21), much less his mouth, had not his words been misconstrued. But as charity maketh a good sense of doubtful speeches and passages, so prejudice and displeasure takes all things (though well meant) at the worst, and as logicians do, Sequitur partem deteriorem. Eliphaz diggeth up evil, Proverbs 16:27, and is like Achilles, of whom Homer saith, that he was a great fault finder (Iliad, xi. 653). Dεινοςανηρ, ταχακενκαιαναιτιοναιτιοωτο. Yea…
Read John Trapp on Job 15 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. But in truth such utterances of his mouth clearly suggested the source which inspired them, other proof of his guilt than they was not needed. Thus in Job 15:5 Job’s language and sentiments are explained by his guilt, and in Job 15:6 his guilt is proved by his language; and both verses support the charge in Job 15:4 that he was doing away, breaking with, the fear of God.
Read Cambridge on Job 15 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThine own mouth condemneth thee - That is, the sentiments which you have uttered show that you cannot be a pious man.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 15 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.
Your own mouth condemns you, and not I. Yes, your own lips testify against you.
Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.
Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you.
Tyndale line
Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; Yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
Thy own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yes, thy own lips testify against thee.
Thine owne mouth condemneth thee, and not I, and thy lippes testifie against thee.
Strictly literal
Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; and thy lips testify against thee.
Thy mouth declareth thee wicked, and not I, And thy lips testify against thee.
Your mouth declares you wicked, and not I, || And your lips testify against you.
Thy own mouth must condemn thee, but not I: yea, thy own lips will testify against thee.
Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; indeed, your own lips testify against you.
From the Latin
Thy own mouth shall condemn thee, and not I: and thy own lips shall answer thee.
Simplified
Your own mouth is condemning you, not me; your own lips are testifying against you.
It is by your mouth, even yours, that you are judged to be in the wrong, and not by me; and your lips give witness against you.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew and Greek translations. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the text's meaning across these ancient witnesses.
יַרְשִֽׁיעֲךָ֣ פִ֣יךָ וְלֹא־ אָ֑נִי וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ יַעֲנוּ־ בָֽךְ׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 15:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רָשַׁע (rasha`) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be wicked or to act wickedly. It covers various aspects of wrongdoing, including being guilty and condemning others in both civil and ethical contexts. The entries indicate a distinction between its basic meaning of wickedness and its implications of guilt and condemnation.
[רָשַׁע] vb. denom. be wicked, act wickedly
Qal
be wicked, act wickedly
be guilty
Hiph.
condemn as guilty, in civil relations
condemn as guilty, in ethical and religious relations
act wickedly, in ethics and religious
base
H7561 רָשַׁע vb. denom. be wicked, act wickedly .. be wicked, act wickedly
. be guilty
. . condemn as guilty, in civil relations
. condemn as guilty, in ethical and religious relations
. act wickedly, in ethics and religious
7561 rasha` raw-shah'
a primitive root; to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong;
by implication, to disturb, violate:--condemn, make trouble,
vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked(-ly, -ness).
רָשַׁע (ra.sah) — be wicked.
1) to be wicked, act wickedly
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be wicked, act wickedly
1a2) to be guilty, be condemned
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to condemn as guilty (in civil relations)
1b2) to condemn as guilty (in ethical or religious relations)
1b3) to act wickedly (in ethics and religion)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVhi3ms/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: lip/mouth
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs
The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.
שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge
lip
language
edge: shore of sea; bank of river
base
H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip
. language
. edge: shore of sea; bank of river
8193 saphah saw-faw'
or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from
5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by
analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,
bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,
prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
see HEBREW for 05595
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 05490
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.
: lips/mouth
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.
: words/language
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.
: edge/border/opening
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.
: shore/bank(of_sea/river)
1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding
1a) lip (as body part)
1b) language
1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Conj | N-fd | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHC/Ncfdc/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.
[עוּן] vb. dwell
base
עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond
Qal
answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
money meets all demands
specif. respond as a witness, testify
less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
Niph.
make answer
be answered
Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
base
עָנָה vb. sing
Qal sing, utter tunefully
Pi. sing sweetly of it
base
H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
. money meets all demands
. . specif. respond as a witness, testify
. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
. . make answer
. be answered
. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
H6030c עָנָה sing
6030 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,
i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to
begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,
announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),
(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,
hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing
(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.
See also 1042, 1043.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 01042
see HEBREW for 01043
עוּן (un) — to dwell.
(Qal) to dwell
עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.
1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to answer, respond to
1a2) to testify, respond as a witness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to make answer
1b2) to be answered, receive answer
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)
עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.
(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms