Job 13:5
O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 7
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִ֭תֵּן
O that
H5414
יִ֭תֵּן
O that
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּן
hold your peace
H2790
תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּן
hold your peace
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
3 of 7
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּן
hold your peace
H2790
תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּן
hold your peace
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
4 of 7
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
Cross References
Proverbs 17:28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.Job 13:13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.Ecclesiastes 5:3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.James 1:19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom literature valued speech, but Job inverts this by elevating silence. His rebuke anticipates James 1:19 ('swift to hear, slow to speak') and the ministry of presence over answers.
Questions for Reflection
- When should you choose silence over theological explanation?
- How can silence be more compassionate than words?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Job's exasperated wish: 'O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.' This stunning rebuke suggests silence would demonstrate more wisdom than the friends' speeches. Sometimes the wisest response to suffering is compassionate presence without explanation.