Job 29:9
in Job 29The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
The princes refrained from talking, And laid their hand on their mouth;
KJV
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
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This verse in Job 29
Commentary
9 notes on this verseThe princes refrained talking,.... Who were in court before Job came in, and were either talking with one another about indifferent matters, or were giving their opinion in a case before them; but no sooner did Job make his appearance, but they left off talking, and would not proceed any further; they laid a restraint upon their words, and curbed themselves from speaking any more till they had heard his opinion: and laid their hand on their mouth; as a token of silence, Jdg 18:19.
This site's exposition
I went out to the city gate
on Job 29:7-10
The city gate was the seat of the elders, the setting of Ruth 4:1 and Proverbs 31:23. Delitzsch and Barnes read the scene as a court before its judge. The nobles fell silent for his word, the authority Eliphaz had charged Job with abusing in chapter 22.
This site's exposition
covered their mouths with their hands
Gill pictures the princes already in session, talking among themselves or giving their views on a case before them. They broke off when Job came in and held their words until they had heard his opinion. Gill cites Judges 18:19 for the hand over the mouth.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church2 voices
The princes ceased to speak, and laid the finger on the mouth. The rulers held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to their throat. Who else in this place can be understood as leaders or princes, but the framers of heretical evil? Concerning whom it is said by the Psalmist, Strife was poured out upon their princes, and they led them aside in the pathless place, and not in the way.
Third the governors of the city showed respect for his judgment, first because they broke off a conversation already begun when he wished to speak, and so he says, "The city elders refrained from talking." Second because they did not dare to interrupt him while …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Goodness is God's glory, and it will be ours; if we are merciful as God is, we are perfect as he is. He valued himself by the interest he had in the esteem, affections, and prayers, of sober people; not by the studied panegyrics of the wits and poets, but the unconstrained praises of all about him.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
The market place was the place of judgment, at the gate or propylæa of the city, such as is found in the remains of Nineveh and Persepolis (Isa 59:14;
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
The princes refrained talking - They never ventured an opinion in opposition to mine; so fully were they persuaded of the justice and integrity of my decision.
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
The princes refrained talking - As a mark of respect, or in awe of his presence.
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| שָׂ֭רִים | sarim | chiefs | H8269 → | 421 times |
| עָצְר֣וּ | ʾatzeru | they restrained | H6113 → | 47 times |
| בְמִלִּ֑ים | vemilim | <in> words | H4405 → | 38 times |
| וְ֝כַ֗ף | vekhaf | and a hand | H3709 → | 192 times |
| יָשִׂ֥ימוּ | yasimu | they put | H7760 → | 584 times |
| לְפִיהֶֽם׃ | lefihem | to mouth their | H6310 → | 498 times |
שָׂ֭רִיםchiefs
sarimH8269 →421 times
עָצְר֣וּthey restrained
ʾatzeruH6113 →47 times
בְמִלִּ֑ים<in> words
vemilimH4405 →38 times
וְ֝כַ֗ףand a hand
vekhafH3709 →192 times
יָשִׂ֥ימוּthey put
yasimuH7760 →584 times
לְפִיהֶֽם׃to mouth their
lefihemH6310 →498 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
James 1:19My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
it leads to
- Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
- Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
- Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
- Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
- Proverbs 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
- Proverbs 17:27
Through
Proverbs 10:19When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
it leads to
- James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- James 3:2
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
- James 1:19
Through
Job 40:4“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.
it leads to
- Job 21:5
Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Job 21:5
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Job
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Job; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Job; Gregory the Dialogist, Morals on the Book of Job, Book XIX; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Job.