Job 32:16

16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?

Job 32:16 in Other Translations

16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?

16 Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent?

16 Why should I wait any longer, now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?

16 And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more?

16 Should I wait because they don't speak, because they stand there and don't have any more answers?

16 Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand [there] and no longer answer?

16 Do I have to keep on waiting, now that they are silent? They are just standing there with nothing to say.

Job 32:16 Meaning and Commentary

Job 32:16

When one had waited
To observe whether they would make any reply to what he had said, or any objection to his engaging in the controversy:

for they spake not;
were as mute as fishes:

but stood still;
like statues, had no power to move, neither to sit down nor to depart, but were as if all life, sense, and motion, were gone from them:

[and] answered no more;
or not at all; for it does not appear that they had given him any answer before, as well as not now.

Job 32:16 In-Context

14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.

16 Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?

17 I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.

18 For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;