Job 21:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Job calls his friends to look at him, be astonished, and fall silent before what they see.
What Does Job 21:5 Mean?
Job intensifies his appeal. He tells his friends to truly look at him, to be stunned by what they see, and to cover their mouths in silence. The gesture of the hand over the mouth is the ancient sign of one who has nothing more to say.
Before genuine mystery, the wise response is awe and quiet. Job's friends have been quick with explanations; he asks them instead to be silenced by the sheer strangeness of his case. There are moments when the sight of suffering should stop our speech, when reverence means laying a hand over the mouth and simply beholding. Such humility prepares the heart to hear God rather than to instruct Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 21:5
What does Job 21:5 mean?
Job calls his friends to look at him, be astonished, and fall silent before what they see.