Job 21:3

3 Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.

Job 21:3 in Other Translations

3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

3 Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.

3 Bear with me, and let me speak. After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me.

3 Put up with me while I have my say - then you can mock me later to your heart's content.

3 Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on.

3 Bear with me while I speak. Then after I've spoken, you may go on mocking.

3 Bear with me while I speak; then after I have spoken, you may continue mocking.

3 Put up with me while I speak. After I've spoken, you can make fun of me!

Job 21:3 Meaning and Commentary

Job 21:3

Suffer me that I may speak
To go on with his discourse, without any interruption, until he had finished it; as he before craves their attention, here he entreats their patience to hear him out, as well as to give him leave to begin; they might by their gestures seem as if they were breaking up and departing; or they raised a tumultuous clamour, to hinder his proceeding to reply; or he might fear, that if he was allowed to speak, they would break in upon him before he had done, as they had already; or "bear me", as several of the Jewish commentators explain the phrase; though what he was going to say might sit heavy upon their minds, and be very burdensome, grating, and uneasy to them; yet he entreats they would endure it patiently, until he had made an end of speaking:

and after that I have spoken, mock on;
as they had already, ( Job 12:4 ) ( 17:2 ) ; they had mocked not at his troubles and afflictions, but at his words and arguments in vindication of his innocence; and now all he entreats of them is, that they would admit him to speak once more, and to finish his discourse; and then if they thought fit, or if they could, to go on with their scoffs and derisions of him; if he could but obtain this favour, he should be easy, he should not regard their mockings, but bear them patiently; and he seems to intimate, that he thought he should be able to say such things to them, that would spoil their mocking, and prevent it for the future; so the Greek version renders it, "thou shalt not laugh"; and the words being singular have led many to think, that Zophar, who spoke last, is particularly intended, though it may respect everyone of his friends.

Job 21:3 In-Context

1 Then Job replied:

2 “Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you give me.

3 Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.

4 “Is my complaint directed to a human being? Why should I not be impatient?

5 Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 6:14; S Job 11:3; S Job 16:10