Job 4:16

16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a 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 came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up.
16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice:
17 'Can mortal man be righteous before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?
18 Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error;
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.