Job 16:4

2 “I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all.

3 Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying?

I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you.

5 But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.

6 Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I hold back, how will it go away?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you.
KJV
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.
WEB
I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,
ASV
I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul`s stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
DARBY
I also could speak as ye: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join together words against you, and shake my head at you;
BLB
I also could speak as you⁺, if your⁺ soul were in place of my soul; I could join together words against you⁺, and shake at you⁺ with my head.
ÅB
Også jeg kunne tale som dere; om dere var i mitt sted, kunne jeg sette ord sammen mot dere, og jeg kunne riste på hodet over dere;
OTB
Jeg kunne også tale som dere,
hvis dere var i mitt sted.
Jeg kunne holde veltalende taler mot dere
og riste på hodet mot dere.
B1930
Også jeg kunde tale som I; om I var i mitt sted, kunde jeg sette ord sammen mot eder, og jeg kunde ryste på hodet over eder;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 109:25

    I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 22:7

    All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:

    Read in context
  • Lamentations 2:15

    All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?”

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 19:21

    This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 18:16

    They have made their land a desolation, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 12:26

    If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

    Read in context
  • Zephaniah 2:15

    This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: “I am it, and there is none besides me,” what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 27:39–40

    And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads

    Read in context