Job 13:5

5 {O that} you would keep completely silent, and [that] it would become wisdom for you.

Job 13:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 13:5

And that ye would altogether hold your peace
Since what they said of him was not true, nor anything to the purpose, or that tended to the comfort of his afflicted soul, but the reverse; and therefore he could have wished they had never broke silence, but continued as they were the first seven days of their visit; and now, since they had spoken, and had done no good by speaking, but hurt, he desires for the future they would be silent, and say no more:

and it should be your wisdom:
it would be the greatest evidence of it they could give; they had shown none by speaking; it would be a proof of some in them, should they hold their peace; a very biting expression this see ( Proverbs 17:28 ) .

Job 13:5 In-Context

3 But I would speak to Shaddai, and I desire to argue with God.
4 "But you {whitewash with lies}; all of you [are] {worthless healers}.
5 {O that} you would keep completely silent, and [that] it would become wisdom for you.
6 Please hear my argument, and listen attentively [to the] pleadings of my lips.
7 "Will you speak falsely for God? And will you speak deceitfully for him?

Footnotes 3

Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.