Job 4:16

16 I could see something standing there; I stared, but couldn't tell what it was. Then I heard a voice out of the silence:

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 I trembled and shuddered; my whole body shook with fear.
15 A light breeze touched my face, and my skin crawled with fright.
16 I could see something standing there; I stared, but couldn't tell what it was. Then I heard a voice out of the silence:
17 "Can anyone be righteous in the sight of God or be pure before his Creator?
18 God does not trust his heavenly servants; he finds fault even with his angels.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.