Job 29:9

9 The leading men stopped speaking and covered their mouths with their hands.

Job 29:9 Meaning and Commentary

Job 29:9

The princes refrained talking
Who were in court before Job came in, and were either talking with one another about indifferent matters, or were giving their opinion in a case before them; but no sooner did Job make his appearance, but they left off talking, and would not proceed any further; they laid a restraint upon their words, and curbed themselves from speaking any more till they had heard his opinion:

and laid [their] hand on their mouth;
as a token of silence, ( Judges 18:19 ) .

Job 29:9 In-Context

7 I would go to the city gate and sit in the public square.

8 When the young men saw me, they would step aside, and the old men would stand up in respect.

9 The leading men stopped speaking and covered their mouths with their hands.

10 The voices of the important men were quiet, as if their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

11 Anyone who heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me praised me,