Job 6 · Verse 25

Job 6:25

How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Job 6:25, King James Version

Job 6:25 in other translations

BSBHow painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
WEBHow forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
ASVHow forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?
YLTHow powerful have been upright sayings, And what doth reproof from you reprove?
DARBYHow forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove?
BBEHow pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
WebsterHow forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

What does Job 6:25 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 6:24-25

24-25. Irony. If you can "teach me" the right view, I am willing to be set right, and "hold my tongue"; and to be made to see my error. But then if your words be really the right words, how is it that they are so feeble? "Yet how feeble are the words of what you call the right view." So the Hebrew is used (in Mi 2:10; 1:9). The English Version, "How powerful," &c., does not agree so well with the last clause of the…

Read the full comment on Job 6:24-25 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 25 How forcible are right words - A well-constructed argument, that has truth for its basis, is irresistible. But what doth your arguing reprove? - Your reasoning is defective, because your premises are false; and your conclusions prove nothing, because of the falsity of the premises whence they are drawn. The last clause, literally rendered, is, What reproof, in a reproof from you? As you have proved no fault you have consequently reproved no vice. Instead of מה נמרצו mah nimretsu, "how forcible," מה נמלצו mah nimletsu, "how savoury or pleasant," is the reading of two MSS., the Chaldee, and some of the rabbins. Both senses are good, but the common reading is to be preferred.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 6:14-30

In his prosperity Job formed great expectations from his friends, but now was disappointed. This he compares to the failing of brooks in summer. Those who rest their expectations on the creature, will find it fail when it should help them; whereas those who make God their confidence, have help in the time of need, He 4:16. Those who make gold their hope, sooner or later will be ashamed of it, and of their confidence…

Read the full comment on Job 6:14-30 →

Job 6:25 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מַה\־mah-how!H4100
נִּמְרְצ֥וּnim.re.Tzuthey are painfulH4834
אִמְרֵי\־'im.rei-words ofH561
יֹ֑שֶׁרYo.sheruprightnessH3476
וּמַה\־u.mah-and what?H4100
יּוֹכִ֖יחַyo.Khi.achdoes it proveH3198
הוֹכֵ֣חַho.Khe.achcompletely <to prove>H3198
מִכֶּֽם\׃mi.Kemfrom <the> you

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 6:25

  • Proverbs 25:11

    A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:10-11

    The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

  • Job 16:3-5

    Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

  • Job 24:25

    And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

  • Job 4:4

    Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

  • Proverbs 12:18

    There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  • Job 32:3

    Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

  • Proverbs 16:21-24

    The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

  • Proverbs 18:21

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  • Job 21:34

    How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

  • Job 13:5

    O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
forcible.
4:4; 16:5; Pr 12:18; 16:21-24; 18:21; 25:11; Ec 12:10,11
what doth.
13:5; 16:3,4; 21:34; 24:25; 32:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 6:24

    Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

  • Job 6:25

    How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

  • Job 6:26

    Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

Read all of Job 6

Job 6:25 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¡Cuán fuertes son las palabras de rectitud! Mas ¿qué reprende el que reprende de vosotros?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Combien sont puissantes les paroles justes! Mais la censure de votre part que reprend-elle?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wie eindringlich sind richtige Worte! Aber was tadelt der Tadel, der von euch kommt?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quare detraxistis sermonibus veritatis, cum e vobis nullus sit qui possit arguere me?