Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply? New Living Translation Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent? English Standard Version And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? Berean Standard Bible Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply? King James Bible When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) New King James Version And I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more. New American Standard Bible “Should I wait, because they are not speaking, Because they have stopped and no longer answer? NASB 1995 “Shall I wait, because they do not speak, Because they stop and no longer answer? NASB 1977 “And shall I wait, because they do not speak, Because they stop and answer no more? Legacy Standard Bible Shall I wait, because they do not speak, Because they stand still and no longer answer? Amplified Bible “And shall I wait, because they say nothing, But stand still and say no more? Christian Standard Bible Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer? Holman Christian Standard Bible Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer? American Standard Version And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more? Contemporary English Version But am I to remain silent, just because you have stopped speaking? English Revised Version And shall I wait, because they speak not, because they stand still, and answer no more? GOD'S WORD® Translation Should I wait because they don't speak, because they stand there and don't have any more answers? Good News Translation Shall I go on waiting when they are silent? They stand there with nothing more to say. International Standard Version Shall I continue to wait, since they're no longer talking? After all, they're only standing there; they're no longer responding. Majority Standard Bible Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply? NET Bible And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, New Heart English Bible Shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand still, and answer no more? Webster's Bible Translation When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more;) World English Bible Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I have waited, but they do not speak, "" For they have stood still, "" They have not answered anymore.) Young's Literal Translation And I have waited, but they do not speak, For they have stood still, They have not answered any more.) Smith's Literal Translation And I waited, (for they will not speak, for they stood, they answered no more:) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTherefore because I have waited, and they have not spoken : they stood, and answered no more : Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, because I have waited and they have not been speaking, for they stood firm and did not respond at all, New American Bible Must I wait? Now that they speak no more, and have ceased to make reply, New Revised Standard Version And am I to wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey did not speak; they stood still, and answered him no more. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because they were not speaking, therefore they rose up and they did not answer him again OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more? Brenton Septuagint Translation I waited, (for I had not spoken,) because they stood still, they answered not. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends…15Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them. 16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply? 17I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.… Cross References Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. James 3:1-2 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. / 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. Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Proverbs 17:27-28 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. / Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue. Ecclesiastes 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Treasury of Scripture When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more;) Job 13:5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom. Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Amos 5:13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. Jump to Previous Answers Longer Quiet Silent Speak Stand Stood Stop Wait Waited WaitingJump to Next Answers Longer Quiet Silent Speak Stand Stood Stop Wait Waited WaitingJob 32 1. Elihu is angry with Job and his three friends6. Because wisdom comes not from age, he excuses the boldness of his youth 11. He reproves them for not satisfying Job 16. His zeal to speak Must I wait This phrase reflects Elihu's impatience and eagerness to speak. In the context of the Book of Job, Elihu is a younger man who has waited respectfully for the older friends of Job to finish their discourse. His question suggests a sense of urgency and a belief that he has something important to contribute. This can be seen as a reflection of the biblical principle that wisdom is not solely the domain of the elderly, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:12, where Paul encourages Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth. now that they are silent now that they stand and no longer reply Persons / Places / Events 1. ElihuA young man who speaks after Job's three friends have finished their discourse. He is introduced in Job 32 and is characterized by his youthful zeal and desire to offer a fresh perspective on Job's suffering. 2. Job The central figure of the book, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His dialogues with his friends form the bulk of the book. 3. Job's Three Friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who have attempted to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, suggesting that it is a result of sin. 4. The Setting The dialogues take place in the land of Uz, where Job resides. The setting is a gathering where Job and his friends engage in a series of debates about the nature of suffering and divine justice. 5. The Silence The moment of silence from Job's friends, which prompts Elihu to speak. This silence signifies the exhaustion of their arguments and the failure to provide Job with satisfactory answers. Teaching Points The Value of Patience in DialogueElihu demonstrates the importance of waiting and listening before speaking. In our conversations, especially on complex issues, patience allows us to understand others fully before contributing our perspective. The Role of Youthful Zeal in Wisdom Elihu, though young, offers a fresh perspective. This teaches us that wisdom is not confined to age and that young believers can provide valuable insights when guided by the Spirit. The Importance of Speaking Up Elihu's decision to speak after the silence of Job's friends shows the importance of contributing to discussions when we believe we have something valuable to add, especially when others have exhausted their insights. The Need for Humility in Discourse While Elihu is eager to speak, his approach should remind us to maintain humility, recognizing that our understanding is limited and that we should seek God's wisdom above all.(16) When I had waited.--Or, as some render it, "And shall I wait because they speak not?" But they stand still and make no further reply.Verse 16. - When I had waited (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more); rather, as in the Revised Version, and shall 1 wait because they speak not, because they stand still and answer no more? Am I to wait until they shall have recovered themselves, and found something to answer? Surely this is not necessary. Neither courtesy nor etiquette prescribes it. Especially when I have waited so long, and have so much to say, and am so exceedingly anxious to say it (see vers. 18-20). Elihu shows all the impatience and ardour of a young speaker (see ver. 6), and feels the confidence that young men so often feel in the wisdom and persuasiveness of their words (comp. Job 33:1-6). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Must I waitוְ֭הוֹחַלְתִּי (wə·hō·w·ḥal·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3176: To wait, to be patient, hope now that כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they are silent, לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no now that כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they stand עָ֝מְד֗וּ (‘ā·mə·ḏū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations and no לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no longer עֽוֹד׃ (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more reply? עָ֥נוּ (‘ā·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6030: To answer, respond Links Job 32:16 NIVJob 32:16 NLT Job 32:16 ESV Job 32:16 NASB Job 32:16 KJV Job 32:16 BibleApps.com Job 32:16 Biblia Paralela Job 32:16 Chinese Bible Job 32:16 French Bible Job 32:16 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 32:16 Shall I wait because they don't speak (Jb) |
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