English Standard Version
Job 4:16
16It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice:
Job 4:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
- New International Version (NIV)It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:
- New King James Version (NKJV)It stood still, But I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; There was silence; Then I heard a voice saying:
- New Living Translation (NLT)The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape. There was a form before my eyes. In the silence I heard a voice say,
Context of Job 4:16
14dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. 15A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice: 17'Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? 18Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error;
Read all of Job 4Job 4:16 word by word
יַעֲמֹ֤ד׀ וְֽלֹא־אַכִּ֬יר מַרְאֵ֗הוּ תְּ֭מוּנָה לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָ֑י דְּמָמָ֖ה וָק֣וֹל אֶשְׁמָֽע׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- It stood stillעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975
- but I could not discernנָכַרnâkar · to recognizeH5234
- the formמַרְאֶהmar'eh · appearanceH4758
- thereof: an imageתְּמוּנָהtemûnâh temûnâh · likenessH8544
- before mine eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
- silenceדְּמָמָהdemâmâh · silenceH1827
- and I heardשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
- a voiceקוֹלqôl qôl · voiceH6963
Cross-references for Job 4:16
Commentaries on Job 4:16
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16It stood still - It took a fixed position and looked on me. It at first glided by, or toward him, then stood in an immovable position, as if to attract his attention, and to prepare him for the solemn announcement which it was about to make. This was the point in which most horror would be felt. We should be less alarmed at anything which a strange messenger should say, than to have him stand and fix his eyes steadily and silently upon us. Hence…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-21Verses 12-21 Eliphaz relates a vision. When we are communing with our own hearts, and are still, Psa 4:4, then is a time for the Holy Spirit to commune with us. This vision put him into very great fear. Ever since man sinned, it has been terrible to him to receive communications from Heaven, conscious that he can expect no good tidings thence. Sinful man! shall he pretend to be more just, more pure, than God, who being his Maker, is his Lord and Owner?…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-16Eliphaz claimed to be a prophet, suggesting that God spoke to him secretly (Numbers 12:6). Later, God did speak to him, but not to support his advice (Job 42:7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. It stood still--At first the apparition glides before Eliphaz, then stands still, but with that shadowy indistinctness of form which creates such an impression of awe; a gentle murmur: not (English Version): there was silence; for in 1Ki 19:12, the voice, as opposed to the previous storm, denotes a gentle, still murmur.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 4:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries