Job 42:4

4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak. I will ask you some questions. Then I want you to answer me.'

Job 42:4 Meaning and Commentary

Job 42:4

Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak
Not in the manner he had before, complaining of God and justifying himself, but in a way of humble entreaty of favours of him, of confession of sin before him, and of acknowledgment of his wisdom, goodness, and justice in all his dealings with him, which before he arraigned;

I will demand of thee;
or rather "I will make petition to thee", as Mr. Broughton renders it; humbly ask a favour, and entreat a gracious answer; for to demand is not so agreeable to the frame and temper of soul Job was now in;

and declare thou unto me;
or make him know what he knew not; he now in ignorance applies to God, as a God of knowledge, to inform him in things he was in the dark about, and to increase what knowledge he had. He was now willing to take the advice of Elihu, and pursue it, ( Job 34:31 Job 34:32 ) .

Job 42:4 In-Context

2 "I know that you can do anything. No one can keep you from doing what you plan to do.

3 You asked me, 'Who do you think you are to disagree with my plans? You do not know what you are talking about.' I spoke about things I didn't completely understand. I talked about things that were too wonderful for me to know.

4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak. I will ask you some questions. Then I want you to answer me.'

5 My ears had heard about you. But now my own eyes have seen you.

6 So I hate myself. I'm really sorry for what I said about you. That's why I'm sitting in dust and ashes."