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Job 42:4 You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.'
<!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 42:4 You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/42-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/18_Job_42_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 42:4 - Job Submits Himself to the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak. 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I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Listen, please, and let me speak; <i>You said,</i> ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Please listen, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask Thee, and do Thou instruct me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You make me know.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct [and answer] me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You said, “Listen now, and I will speak. When I question you, you will inform me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You said, “Listen now, and I will speak. When I question you, you will inform Me.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak; I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You told me to listen and answer your questions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak; I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"[You said,] 'Listen now, and I will speak. I will ask you, and you will teach me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You told me to listen while you spoke and to try to answer your questions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Listen now, and I will speak for myself; I'll interrogate you and then inform me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You said, ?Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You said, 'Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You said, 'Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will ask of thee, and declare thou to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Please hear, and I speak; [You said], I ask you, and you cause Me to know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Hear, I pray thee, and I -- I do speak, I ask thee, and cause thou me to know.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Hear, now, and I will speak: I will ask thee and make thou known to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hear, and I will speak : I will ask thee, and do thou tell me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Listen, and I will speak. I will question you, and you may answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Listen, and I will speak; I will question you, and you tell me the answers.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Hear me, I pray thee, and I will speak; I will ask thee, and declare thou to me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Hear me and I shall speak. I shall ask; you teach me<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak; I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But hear me, O Lord, that I also may speak: and I will ask thee, and do thou teach me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/42-4.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=6609" 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/42.htm">Job Submits Himself to the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·ma‘- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">You said, ‘Listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: wə·’ā·nō·ḵî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">and I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ’ă·ḏab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">will speak.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: ’eš·’ā·lə·ḵā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">I will question you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wə·hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">and you shall inform Me.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.…<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/38-3.htm">Job 38:3</a></span><br />Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/40-7.htm">Job 40:7</a></span><br />“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a></span><br />“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21</a></span><br />“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-26.htm">Isaiah 43:26</a></span><br />Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-4.htm">Isaiah 50:4</a></span><br />The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-9.htm">Jeremiah 1:9</a></span><br />Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-19.htm">Jeremiah 15:19</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/25-4.htm">Psalm 25:4-5</a></span><br />Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-27.htm">Psalm 119:27</a></span><br />Make clear to me the way of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-33.htm">Psalm 119:33-34</a></span><br />Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end. / Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a></span><br />For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Hear, I beseech you, and I will speak: I will demand of you, and declare you to me.</p><p class="hdg">Hear</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Genesis 18:27,30-32</a></b></br> And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which <i>am but</i> dust and ashes: … </p><p class="hdg">I will</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3</a></b></br> Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-7.htm">Job 40:7</a></b></br> Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/40-7.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/job/19-16.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/job/41-28.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/job/37-14.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/job/39-7.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Instruct</a> <a href="/job/40-5.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Question</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/job/41-12.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/3-4.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/psalms/80-14.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/job/42-6.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/2-7.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-10.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/job/42-5.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/4-1.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/acts/23-15.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/psalms/16-7.htm">Instruct</a> <a href="/psalms/1-2.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/psalms/35-11.htm">Question</a> <a href="/psalms/35-11.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/psalms/2-5.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">Job 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/42-1.htm">Job submits himself unto God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/42-7.htm">God, preferring Job's cause, makes his friends submit themselves, and accepts him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/42-10.htm">He magnifies and blesses Job</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/42-16.htm">Job's age and death</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/42.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/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak.</b><br>This phrase reflects God's direct communication with Job, emphasizing the importance of divine revelation. In the context of the Book of Job, God is responding to Job's earlier complaints and questions about his suffering. The imperative "Listen now" underscores the authority of God and the necessity for Job to pay attention to divine wisdom. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where God calls for attention, such as in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, "Hear, O Israel," highlighting the importance of listening to God's word. The act of God speaking is a reminder of His sovereignty and the power of His word, as seen in the creation narrative in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>.<p><b>I will question you,</b><br>Here, God is reversing the roles, where Job, who has been questioning God, is now the one being questioned. This is significant in the context of the ancient Near Eastern culture, where questioning a deity was seen as audacious. God's questioning serves to remind Job of human limitations and the vastness of divine wisdom. This is similar to the rhetorical questions found in <a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Isaiah 40:12-14</a>, which emphasize God's unmatched understanding and power. The questioning also serves as a pedagogical tool, leading Job to a deeper understanding of his place in the universe.<p><b>and you shall inform Me.’</b><br>This phrase is ironic, as it highlights the futility of human attempts to fully comprehend God's ways. It underscores the theme of humility before God, a central message in the Book of Job. The idea that Job could inform God is a rhetorical device used to illustrate the gap between human and divine knowledge. This echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-34</a>, where Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, acknowledging that no one can be His counselor. The phrase serves as a reminder of the need for trust and faith in God's ultimate plan, even when it is beyond human understanding.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning God's justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator who engages in a dialogue with Job, challenging him to understand divine wisdom and sovereignty.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>This verse is part of the concluding dialogue between God and Job, where God challenges Job's understanding and perspective.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_restoration.htm">The Restoration</a></b><br>Following this dialogue, Job's fortunes are restored, symbolizing reconciliation and divine blessing.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_book_of_job.htm">The Book of Job</a></b><br>A poetic and philosophical text in the Old Testament that explores themes of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_sovereignty.htm">Understanding Divine Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God's wisdom and plans are beyond human comprehension. Trust in His sovereignty even when circumstances are challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_humility_in_faith.htm">The Role of Humility in Faith</a></b><br>Approach God with humility, acknowledging our limited understanding and the need for His guidance and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening_to_god.htm">The Importance of Listening to God</a></b><br>Prioritize listening to God's voice through Scripture and prayer, allowing His words to shape our understanding and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_honest_dialogue_with_god.htm">The Value of Honest Dialogue with God</a></b><br>Engage in honest and open dialogue with God, bringing our questions and doubts to Him while being open to His responses.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_reconciliation.htm">Restoration and Reconciliation</a></b><br>Understand that God desires restoration and reconciliation, as seen in Job's life, and seek His healing in our own lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 42</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_greatness,_smallness.htm">Why judge before knowing the full story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_4_contradict_psalms.htm">Why does Job 4 seem to contradict other biblical teachings, such as the Book of Psalms, that the righteous can and do suffer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_4_conflict_with_ancient_altruism.htm">Does the overwhelmingly negative view of human nature in Job 4 conflict with archaeological or historical evidence of altruistic behavior in ancient societies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_ask_cain_about_abel.htm">Genesis 4:8-10: Why would God question Cain about Abel's whereabouts if God is supposed to be all-knowing?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Hear, I beseech thee.</span>--This cannot in like manner be appropriately assigned to Job, but, as in <a href="/job/38-3.htm" title="Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me.">Job 38:3</a>; <a href="/job/40-7.htm" title="Gird up your loins now like a man: I will demand of you, and declare you to me.">Job 40:7</a>, must be referred to God; then the confession of <a href="/context/job/42-5.htm" title="I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees you.">Job 42:5-6</a> comes in very grandly. How much of our knowledge of God is merely hearsay? and it is not till the experimental teaching of the Holy Ghost has revealed God to our consciences that we really see Him with the inward eye. The confession of Job, therefore, is the confession of every converted man. Compare in a much later and very different, and yet analogous sphere, the confession of St. Paul (<a href="/galatians/1-16.htm" title="To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:">Galatians 1:16</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak; I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me</span>, Job refers to God's words in <a href="/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3</a> and <a href="/job/40-7.htm">Job 40:7</a>, and realizes the humbling effect which they had had on him. They made him feel how little he knew on the subject of God's works and ways, and how little competent he was to judge them. Hence he bursts into the confession- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/42-4.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">You said, ‘Listen</span><br /><span class="heb">שְֽׁמַֽע־</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ma‘-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">now,</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֭א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָנֹכִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will speak.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדַבֵּ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will question you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֝שְׁאָלְךָ֗</span> <span class="translit">(’eš·’ā·lə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and you shall answer Me.’</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/42-4.htm">Job 42:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/42-4.htm">OT Poetry: Job 42:4 You said 'Listen now and I will (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/42-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 42:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 42:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/42-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 42:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 42:5" /></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>