Job 15:2

Job 15:2

Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?

a. NLT: “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk! You are nothing but a windbag.

b. NIV: “Would a wise person answer with empty notions or fill their belly with the hot east wind?

c. YLT: Doth a wise man answer with vain knowledge? And fill with an east wind his belly?

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Should a wise man utter such windy knowledge [as we have just heard] and fill himself with the east wind [of withering, parching, and violent accusations]?

e. Septuagint: Will a wise man give for answer a [mere] breath of wisdom? and does he fill up the pain of his belly,

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Should a wise man respond with blustery knowledge, or fill his belly with the east wind?

1. “Should a wise man utter vain knowledge…”

a. should a wise man [2450 * chakam khaw-kawm' from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted), man).]

b. utter [6030 * `anah] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.]

c. vain [7307 * ruwach roo'-akh from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)), tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).]

1). Warning against vain and deceitful doctrines that teach fornication and uncleanness is ok.

a). Ephesians 5:3-6 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

d. knowledge [1847 * da`ath] [Strong: from 3045; knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge), (un-)awares (wittingly).]

1). Reference to unprofitable talk

a). Matthew 12:35-37  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

2. “…and fill his belly with the east wind?”

a. and fill [4390 *  male' maw-lay' or malae (Esth. 7:5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively):--accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-)full, + have wholly.]

b. his belly [990 * beten] [Strong: from an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything:-- belly, body, + as they be born, + within, womb.]

c. the east wind [6921 * qadiym; or qadim] [Strong: from 6923; the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind):--east(-ward, wind).]

1). Perhaps a reference to the winds of doctrine.

a). Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;