Job 42:4

4 You said, 'Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will 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 all things, And that no purpose of yours can be restrained.

3 You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I didn't know.

4 You said, 'Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.'

5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees you.

6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes."