CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 21:5 Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/21-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/18_Job_21_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 21:5 - Job: God will Punish the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/21-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/21-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/21-4.htm" title="Job 21:4">◄</a> Job 21:5 <a href="/job/21-6.htm" title="Job 21:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Look at me and be stunned. Put your hand over your mouth in shock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Look at me and be appalled, and lay your hand over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Mark me, and be astonished, and lay <i>your</i> hand upon <i>your</i> mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Look at me and be astonished; Put <i>your</i> hand over <i>your</i> mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Look at me, and be astonished, And put <i>your</i> hand over <i>your</i> mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Look at me, and be astonished, And put your hand over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Look at me, and be astonished, And put <i>your</i> hand over <i>your</i> mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Look at me, and be appalled, And put <i>your</i> hand over <i>your</i> mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Look at me and be astonished <i>and</i> appalled; And put your hand over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look at me and shudder; put your hand over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look at me and shudder; put your hand over your mouth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Just looking at me is enough to make you sick, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Look at me, and be shocked, and put [your] hand over [your] mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Look at me. Isn't that enough to make you stare in shocked silence? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Look at me, be appalled, and then shut up!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Look at me and be appalled; put your hands over your mouths. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Turn to me, and be astonished, "" And put hand to mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Turn unto me, and be astonished, And put hand to mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Look to me and be astonished, and put the hand upon the mouth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Listen to me and be astonished, and place a finger over your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Look at me and be appalled, put your hands over your mouths. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Look at me, and be appalled, and lay your hand upon your mouth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Return to me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Return to me and marvel, and put your hands on your mouth!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Turn unto me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Look upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/21-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=3195" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Job: God will Punish the Wicked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Is my complaint against a man? Then why should I not be impatient? <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6437.htm" title="6437: pə·nū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To turn. A primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. Appear, look, etc.">Look</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">at me</a> <a href="/hebrew/8074.htm" title="8074: wə·hā·šam·mū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- To be desolated or appalled. A primitive root; to stun, i.e. Devastate or stupefy.">and be appalled;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: wə·śî·mū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">put</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yāḏ (N-fs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">your hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: peh (N-ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">your mouth.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/17-8.htm">Job 17:8</a></span><br />The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent are stirred against the godless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/18-20.htm">Job 18:20</a></span><br />Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/29-9.htm">Job 29:9-10</a></span><br />The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands. / The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/29-21.htm">Job 29:21-23</a></span><br />Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my counsel. / After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew. / They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-10.htm">Job 30:10-12</a></span><br />They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face. / Because God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they have cast off restraint in my presence. / The rabble arises at my right; they lay snares for my feet and build siege ramps against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-25.htm">Job 30:25</a></span><br />Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-34.htm">Job 31:34</a></span><br />because I greatly feared the crowds and the contempt of the clans terrified me, so that I kept silent and would not go outside—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/32-15.htm">Job 32:15-16</a></span><br />Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them. / Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-31.htm">Job 33:31-33</a></span><br />Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. / But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you. / But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-16.htm">Job 34:16</a></span><br />If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/35-4.htm">Job 35:4</a></span><br />I will reply to you and to your friends as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/36-2.htm">Job 36:2</a></span><br />“Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you that there is more to be said on God’s behalf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/37-14.htm">Job 37:14</a></span><br />Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wonders of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-14.htm">Isaiah 52:14-15</a></span><br />Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness— / so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-15.htm">Ezekiel 3:15</a></span><br />I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who dwelt by the River Kebar. And for seven days I sat where they sat and remained there among them, overwhelmed.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand on your mouth.</p><p class="hdg">Mark me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12</a></b></br> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/17-8.htm">Job 17:8</a></b></br> Upright <i>men</i> shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-20.htm">Job 19:20,21</a></b></br> My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth… </p><p class="hdg">lay your</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-9.htm">Job 29:9</a></b></br> The princes refrained talking, and laid <i>their</i> hand on their mouth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-4.htm">Job 40:4</a></b></br> Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/18-19.htm">Judges 18:19</a></b></br> And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: <i>is it</i> better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/18-20.htm">Appalled</a> <a href="/job/18-20.htm">Astonished</a> <a href="/nahum/3-19.htm">Clap</a> <a href="/job/20-23.htm">Full</a> <a href="/job/20-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/job/18-9.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/job/18-2.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/job/15-17.htm">Note</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/job/17-6.htm">Wonder</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/40-15.htm">Appalled</a> <a href="/job/26-11.htm">Astonished</a> <a href="/job/27-23.htm">Clap</a> <a href="/job/21-20.htm">Full</a> <a href="/job/21-16.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/job/22-22.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/job/22-15.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/job/22-22.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/job/21-29.htm">Note</a> <a href="/job/21-14.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/job/26-11.htm">Wonder</a><div class="vheading2">Job 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-1.htm">Job shows that even in the judgment of man he has reason to be grieved</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-7.htm">Sometimes the wicked prosper, though they despise God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-16.htm">Sometimes their destruction is manifest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-21.htm">The happy and unhappy are alike in death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-27.htm">The judgment of the wicked is in another world</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Look at me and be appalled;</b><br>Job is speaking to his friends, who have been accusing him of wrongdoing as the cause of his suffering. This phrase highlights Job's physical and emotional state, which is so dire that it should shock and appall anyone who sees him. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, physical suffering was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure, which is why Job's friends are so insistent on his guilt. The phrase also reflects the broader theme of the book of Job, which challenges the simplistic understanding of retributive justice. Job's suffering, despite his righteousness, points to the complexity of God's governance of the world. This phrase can be connected to <a href="/isaiah/52-14.htm">Isaiah 52:14</a>, where the suffering servant is described as being appalling in appearance, a type of Christ who would suffer innocently.<p><b>put your hand over your mouth.</b><br>This expression is a call for silence and reflection. In the cultural context, putting one's hand over the mouth was a gesture of astonishment or submission, often used when one was confronted with something beyond understanding or when one needed to refrain from speaking out of turn. Job is urging his friends to stop their accusations and consider the gravity of his situation. This gesture is also seen in <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Proverbs 30:32</a>, where it is advised to put a hand over the mouth to avoid speaking foolishly. The call for silence can be seen as a precursor to the divine speeches later in the book, where God Himself will speak and reveal deeper truths about His nature and the world. This anticipates the ultimate revelation of Christ, who is the Word made flesh, bringing the final and complete revelation of God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends, who have been offering explanations for his suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who have come to comfort Job but instead accuse him of wrongdoing, suggesting that his suffering is a result of sin.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_suffering.htm">Job's Suffering</a></b><br>The series of calamities that befall Job, including the loss of his children, wealth, and health, which serve as the backdrop for the dialogues in the book.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, where Job defends his innocence and questions the justice of his suffering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_silence.htm">The Power of Silence</a></b><br>Silence can be a powerful response in the face of suffering. It allows for reflection and prevents hasty judgments or hurtful words.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/empathy_in_suffering.htm">Empathy in Suffering</a></b><br>Job's plea for his friends to be appalled and silent highlights the need for empathy. True comfort comes from understanding and sharing in another's pain, not from offering unsolicited advice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_mystery_of_suffering.htm">The Mystery of Suffering</a></b><br>Job's situation reminds us that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin. It challenges us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when we do not understand our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>Job's friends failed to truly listen to him. As believers, we are called to listen with compassion and patience, offering support rather than judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_before_god.htm">Reverence Before God</a></b><br>The call to put a hand over one's mouth can also be seen as a call to reverence before God, acknowledging His ultimate authority and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_let_innocents_suffer.htm">How can a just God allow the innocent to suffer alongside the wicked, as implied in Job 35:14-16?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_silent_if_job's_pleas_lack_merit.htm">In light of Job 35:16, why would a merciful God remain silent if Job's pleas are without merit, given other scriptures showing God responding to human need?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_david_innocent_in_psalm_17_3.htm">How can David claim innocence in Psalm 17:3 if the Bible elsewhere teaches that all humans are sinful (Romans 3:23)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'ruach'_mean.htm">What does 'ruach' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5, 6.</span> - Here we have an abrupt transition. Job is about to controvert Zophar's theory of the certain retribution that overtakes the wicked man in this life, and to maintain that, on the contrary, he usually prospers (vers. 7-18). Knowing that, in thus running counter to the general religious teaching, he will arouse much horror and indignation on the part of those who hear him, he prefaces his remarks with a notice that they will cause astonishment, and an acknowledgment that he himself cannot reflect upon the subject without a feeling of alarm and dismay. He thus hopes partially to disarm his opponents. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Mark me</span>; literally, <span class="accented">look to me</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "attend to me," <span class="cmt_word">for I am about to say something well worth attention</span>. <span class="cmt_word">And be astonished. Prepare yourselves,</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, <span class="cmt_word">for something that will astonish you. And lay your hand upon your mouth</span>. Harpocrates, the Egyptian god of silence, was often represented with his finger on his lips (see the author's 'History of Ancient Egypt,' vol. 1. p. 362). The symbolism is almost universal. Job begs his auditors to "refrain their lips," and, however much astonished, to keep silence until he has concluded. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/21-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Look</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(pə·nū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6437.htm">Strong's 6437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn, to face, appear, look</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at me</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and be astonished;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָשַׁ֑מּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·šam·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8074.htm">Strong's 8074: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stun, devastate, stupefy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">put</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשִׂ֖ימוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śî·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(yāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your mouth.</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(peh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/21-5.htm">Job 21:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/21-5.htm">OT Poetry: Job 21:5 Look at me and be astonished (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/21-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 21:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 21:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/21-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 21:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 21:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>