2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
2 "Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?
2 "Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?
2 "What a flood of words! Shouldn't we put a stop to it? Should this kind of loose talk be permitted?
2 "Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated?
2 "Shouldn't someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
16 So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words."
16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge."
16 "Job, you talk sheer nonsense - nonstop nonsense!"
16 Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge."
16 But you are talking nonsense, Job. You have spoken like a fool."
(Read Job 35:14-16)
As in prosperity we are ready to think our mountain will never be brought low; so when in adversity, we are ready to think our valley will never be filled up. But to conclude that to-morrow must be as this day, is as absurd as to think that the weather, when either fair or foul, will be always so. When Job looked up to God, he had no reason to speak despairingly. There is a day of judgment, when all that seems amiss will be found to be right, and all that seems dark and difficult will be cleared up and set straight. And if there is Divine wrath in our troubles, it is because we quarrel with God, are fretful, and distrust Divine Providence. This was Job's case. Elihu was directed by God to humble Job, for as to some things he had both opened his mouth in vain, and had multiplied words without knowledge. Let us be admonished, in our afflictions, not so much to set forth the greatness of our suffering, as the greatness of the mercy of God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 11:2
Commentary on Job 11:1-6
(Read Job 11:1-6)
Zophar attacked Job with great vehemence. He represented him as a man that loved to hear himself speak, though he could say nothing to the purpose, and as a man that maintained falsehoods. He desired God would show Job that less punishment was exacted than he deserved. We are ready, with much assurance, to call God to act in our quarrels, and to think that if he would but speak, he would take our part. We ought to leave all disputes to the judgment of God, which we are sure is according to truth; but those are not always right who are most forward to appeal to the Divine judgment.