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Job dismisses the speeches of the comforters as pious platitudes. Were the roles to be reversed, Job insists that he would know how to extend comfort to these friends (16:4-5).
Job not only blames God for his sufferings (16:7) but also for his mistreatment by others (v.11). While the graphic language here (vv.10-11) may suggest physical assault, it is more likely that Job is referring to verbal assault, the kind he is experiencing by way of the comforters. The picture of God presented in this passage (vv.7-14) is frightening. God’s treatment of Job is characterized as a vicious attack with the descriptive figures being drawn from the behavior of wild animals and human enemies. Job does not know how to react to God’s treatment. Neither speech nor silence has helped (v.6), nor has mourning or the humbling of himself (v.15).
In spite of his suffering, Job still categorically denies his guilt (16:17). He wants his blood to remain exposed as Abel’s blood (Ge 4:10) that it may be a cry to the Lord (16:18). He is confident that he has a witness in heaven (v.19) who serves a purpose similar to that of the arbitrator of 9:33 and the vindicator of 19:25.
This witness could possibly be God himself. Job continues to struggle with two conceptions of God (Rowley, 121). He appeals to the God of justice and steadfast love against the God of wrath. But, as Pope observes, since God is already accuser, judge, and executioner, it is more likely that an intermediary is implied (p. 125).
Job now appeals to God to favor him in his dispute with the comforters by giving a pledge (17:3). This seems to refer to some material token used in business transactions (Ge 38:18) to verify agreements (Andersen, 184). The comforters have closed their minds (17:4) and are confident of their claim that Job is guilty of sin. It appears that they will triumph unless God lends Job his support, unless he affirms Job’s integrity. Not only do the comforters insist on his guilt, but the oversensitive Job concludes that everyone does, with the exception of some upright people who are appalled and support him (vv.6-9). This support gives Job a momentary surge of defiance as he taunts his comforters to continue their efforts (vv.9-10).
Job now seems to resign himself to imminent death. Some commentators conclude that Job has lost all hope (Pope, 131). But noting that he calls the grave his home (17:13) and alludes to family members (v.14), Andersen (p. 187) argues that Job may yet hold to some hope after all.