Nachdaily: 5 Minute Perek Of Tanach Covering The Entire Navi. Sefer Yehoshua, Shoftim, Shmuel, Melachim, Yeshaya, Yirmiya, Ye

Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, Perek 16. This is Iyov’s second response to Elifaz. The Malbim explains that Iyov does not attempt to answer the question of Tzaddik v’ra lo in this perek, but waits until chapter 21. Iyov is outraged that Elifaz and his friends continued to speak but added little new content to their previous arguments. Iyov tells his friends that he’s received little comfort from them. In verse 4 he says, “I can also speak as you do. Were our positions reversed, I would string together words for you and nod my head over you.” The Ralbag and Metsudos explain that Iyov felt that, unlike them, if they were suffering he would provide encouragement and empathy, not the scorn and derision that he’s received. From verses 6 until 21, which is most of the perek, Iyov cries out in agony over his suffering. He explains that he’s really an innocent victim at the mercy of God and his friends. Iyov describes the nature of his suffering, such as, in verse 8, “You cause me to shrivel up.” In verse