Job 15:16how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water!
The setting
Still in ancient Uz. Eliphaz escalates his attack, comparing humanity to someone who drinks evil like water - casually, constantly, addictively. Job's suffering friends pile on theological abuse.
The emotion here: disgust and moral superiority while attacking a suffering friend
The original word
shathah (שָׁתָה) — to drink, implying habitual consumption, like an alcoholic with wine
Why it matters
Water was precious in the ancient Near East; comparing evil to water suggests something consumed constantly for survival
Read with care
What most readers miss in Job 15:16
Eliphaz is being viciously cruel here - accusing Job of being addicted to sin while Job suffers innocently
Common misconceptionSome use this to describe human depravity, but it's actually cruel false accusation from Job's friend. The book of Job shows this perspective is wrong.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Job 15:16
Bible Genome reading
Job 15:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Job 15:16 comes from the book of Job, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to Eliphaz. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include sin, corruption, depravity. Notable phrases: abominable and corrupt; drinks iniquity like water.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Job 15:16 mean to you, today?
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