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Job 40 · a question people ask

"I lay my hand on my mouth" (40:4). Is Job repenting here?

In the text

Read what he says: "Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further" (40:4-5). He says he is "of small account", that he lays his hand on his mouth, and that he will not answer and will go no further. The words don't use repent, and they don't say what Job now thinks of what he said before. The only repent in the WEB of Job comes in Job's last answer: "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (42:6), and between the two the LORD speaks again (40:6-41:34). These notes don't read more into 40:4-5 than its words.

The verses

““Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.””
Job 40:4-5 · World English Bible
“Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.””
Job 42:6 · World English Bible
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:”
Job 40:6 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 40

Job 40: An arm like God

When the LORD tells Job, "Array yourself with honor and majesty" (40:10), he uses the three Hebrew words of a psalm's "You are clothed with honor and majesty" (Psalm 104:1), said to the LORD. And Job's "I will proceed no further" (40:5) uses the verb of "Job again took up his parable" (27:1, 29:1).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions