Job 40:5

5 Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; even twice, but I will not proceed."

Job 40:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 40:5

Once have I spoken; but I will not answer
Some think this refers to what he had just now said of his vileness, he had owned that, and that was all he had to say, or would say, he would give no other answer; Jarchi says, some suppose he has respect to his words in ( Job 9:22 ) ;

yea, twice; but I will proceed no further;
the meaning seems to be, that he who had once and again, or very often, at least in some instances, spoken very imprudently and indecently, for the future would take care not to speak in such a manner: for this confession was not quite free and full; and therefore the Lord takes him in hand again, to bring him to make a more full and ingenuous one, as he does in ( Job 42:1-6 ) .

Job 40:5 In-Context

3 So Job answered Yahweh and said,

4 "Look, I am insignificant. What shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

5 Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; even twice, but I will not proceed."

6 Then Yahweh answered Job from the storm, and he said,

7 "{Prepare yourself for a difficult task like a man}, and I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

Footnotes

• [a] Hebrew "And"
• [b] Or "and"