Job 40:4
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Original Language Analysis
קַ֭לֹּתִי
Behold I am vile
H7043
קַ֭לֹּתִי
Behold I am vile
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
2 of 8
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
מָ֣ה
H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אֲשִׁיבֶ֑ךָּ
what shall I answer
H7725
אֲשִׁיבֶ֑ךָּ
what shall I answer
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָ֝דִ֗י
mine hand
H3027
יָ֝דִ֗י
mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 8
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Job 29:9The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.Proverbs 30:32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.Job 21:5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.Job 42:6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.Isaiah 6:5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.Genesis 32:10I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.Genesis 18:27And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:Luke 18:13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.Judges 18:19And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?Ezra 9:6And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom valued knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Job's hand on mouth signals recognition of proper boundaries.
Questions for Reflection
- When is silence more appropriate than speech before God?
- What does recognizing your 'vileness' reveal about proper perspective?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Job's response: 'Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.' This first submission acknowledges unworthiness to answer. Job doesn't recant his innocence but recognizes his limited perspective. Silence becomes appropriate response.