Job 40:4

Translations

Modern

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.

Traditional

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Literal

“Behold, I am slight. How can I reply to You? My hand I place over my mouth.

Latin

Qui leviter locutus sum, respondere quid possum? manum meam ponam super os meum.

Original

Hebrew

English

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.

Notes

Job 40:4

I am insignificant (compare 42:6): Job was not asking God to forgive his sin. Like Abraham, he recognized that he was not worthy (Genesis 18:27).
Job had asked those comforting him to cover their mouths to show shock (21:5). Here, he does so himself in reaction to his own inappropriate words.

Job 40:3–5

Job's short and humble reply does not admit guilt, but it does admit how "insignificant" he is (40:4). Earlier, he believed he could approach God like a prince or even question him (31:37; 13:22–23).

Job 38:1–40:5

God challenges Job. Job admits he cannot judge the moral world. God shows Job's ignorance of the natural world's elements related to the realm of heaven, weather, animals, and birds (38:4–21; 22–38; 39–39:30).

Theme notes and profiles

Complaints God’s Uniqueness Material Reward

Events

Job's Trialc. 1650 BC

Related verses

Proverbs 30:32
If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.
Job 29:9
The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands.
Job 21:5
Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.
Job 42:6
Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.”
Judges 18:19
“Be quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?”
Ezra 9:6
…and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.
Genesis 18:27
Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—
Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.”
Psalm 39:9
I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
Micah 7:16
Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their might. They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf.

Glossary

Book of Job Lord Lotus Bush, Lotus Tree Wisdom Literature

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of, Illustrated Conviction of Sin God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Humility: Exemplified Humility: Job Job: A Man Who Lived in Uz: Submission of, to God Prayer: Confession In Repentance: Exemplified Sin: Confession of

Job 40:4

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

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Topics