God’s Word Translation
Job 29:9
9Princes held back ⌞their⌟ words and put their hands over their mouths.
Job 29:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
- New International Version (NIV)the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;
- English Standard Version (ESV)the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth;
- New King James Version (NKJV)The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth;
Context of Job 29:9
7When I went through the city gate and took my seat in the town square, 8young men saw me and kept out of sight. Old men stood up straight out of respect ⌞for me⌟. Princes held back ⌞their⌟ words and put their hands over their mouths. 10The voices of nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths. 11“⌞Any⌟ ears that heard me blessed me. ⌞Any⌟ eyes that saw me spoke well of me,
Read all of Job 29Job 29:9 word by word
שָׂ֭רִים עָצְר֣וּ בְמִלִּ֑ים וְ֝כַ֗ף יָשִׂ֥ימוּ לְפִיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 29:9
- Job 4:2“If someone tries to talk to you, will you become impatient? But who can keep from talking?
- Job 7:11So I won’t keep my mouth shut, but I will speak from the distress that is in my spirit and complain about the bitterness in my soul.
- Proverbs 10:19Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise.
- James 1:19Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily.
- Job 21:5Look at me, and be shocked, and put ⌞your⌟ hand over ⌞your⌟ mouth.
- Job 40:4“I’m so insignificant. How can I answer you? I will put my hand over my mouth.
- Judges 18:19They told him, “Keep quiet! Don’t say a word! Come with us and be our father and priest. Is it better for you to be a priest for one man’s house or for a tribe in Israel and its families?”
- Proverbs 30:32If you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself, or if you scheme, you had better put your hand over your mouth.
Commentaries on Job 29:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9The 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.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9The princes refrained talking - As a mark of respect, or in awe of his presence. And laid their hand on their mouth - To lay the finger or the hand on the mouth is every where an action expressive of silence or respect; Notes, Job 21:5. “In one of the subterranean vaults of Egypt, where the mummies lie buried, they found in the coffin an embalmed body of a woman, before which was placed a figure of wood, representing a youth on his knees, laying a finger…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-17Verses 7-17 All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-25Job compares his past happiness, honor, and wealth with his current loss of social dignity and divine friendship (chapters 29 and 30). He ends his speech with broad vows of innocence (chapter 31).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 7-107-10. The great influence Job had over young and old, and noblemen. through ... street!--rather, When I went out of my house, in the country (see Job 1:1, prologue) to the gate (ascending), up to the city (which was on elevated ground), and when I prepared my (judicial) seat in the market place. 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 (Is 59:14; Psa 55:11…Read the comment
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 29
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries