Miserable Comforters

Job returns to the discussion even more hopeless than before. Whereas he had expressed a determination to carry his case before God when he last responded to Zophar (chs. 12–14), he now seems almost resigned to defeat and rejection by human beings and by God. By the end of this response to Eliphaz, Job declares his hopelessness and prepares to go down to Sheol unrequited (17:16).

16:1–3  As often before, Job’s response begins with a critique of his friends’ lack of compassion and support. They are all miserable comforters (Heb. menakhame ʿamal, “comforters of trouble/labor”), perhaps meaning “comforters for whom their task is unwelcome labor” or “those whose comfort brings trouble.” While the friends offer no true comfort, neither do they offer much in the way of helpful…