Job 4:16

16 It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:

Job 4:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
16 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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice:
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 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,
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 I couldn't tell what it was that appeared there - a blur . . . and then I heard a muffled voice:
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; A form was before mine eyes: [There was] silence, and I heard a voice, [saying],
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 Something stood there. I couldn't tell what it was. A vague image was in front of my eyes. I heard a soft voice:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 [A figure] stood there, but I could not recognize its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes. I heard a quiet voice:
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 Then the spirit stopped. But I couldn't tell what it was. Something stood there in front of me. I heard a soft voice.

Job 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

Job 4:16

It stood still
That is, the spirit, or the angel in a visible form; it was before going to and fro, but now it stood still right against Eliphaz, as if it had something to say to him, and so preparing him to attend to it; which he might do the better, it standing before him while speaking to him, that he might have the opportunity of taking more notice of it:

but,
notwithstanding this advantageous position of it,

I could not discern the form thereof;
what it was, whether human or any other:

an image [was] before mine eyes;
he saw something, some appearance and likeness, but could not tell what it was; perhaps the fear and surprise he was in hindered him from taking in any distinct idea of it, or that particular notice of it, so as to be able to form in his own mind any suitable notion of it, or to describe it to others:

[there was] silence
both in the spirit or image, which, standing still, made no rushing noise, and in Eliphaz himself, who kept in his breath, and listened with all the attention he could to it; or a small low voice, as Ben Melech interprets it: so it follows,

and I heard a voice;
a distinct articulate voice or sound of words, very audibly delivered by the spirit or image that stood before him:

[saying];
as follows.

Job 4:16 In-Context

14 fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end.
16 It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:
17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?
18 If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error,

Cross References 1

  • 1. S 1 Kings 19:12
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