Job 4:16

16 I couldn't tell what it was that appeared there - a blur . . . and then I heard a muffled voice:

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 Dread stared me in the face, and Terror. I was scared to death - I shook from head to foot.
15 A spirit glided right in front of me - the hair on my head stood on end.
16 I couldn't tell what it was that appeared there - a blur . . . and then I heard a muffled voice:
17 "'How can mere mortals be more righteous than God? How can humans be purer than their Creator?
18 Why, God doesn't even trust his own servants, doesn't even cheer his angels,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.