Job 29:9

9 The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth;

Job 29:9 Meaning and Commentary

Job 29:9

The princes refrained talking
Who were in court before Job came in, and were either talking with one another about indifferent matters, or were giving their opinion in a case before them; but no sooner did Job make his appearance, but they left off talking, and would not proceed any further; they laid a restraint upon their words, and curbed themselves from speaking any more till they had heard his opinion:

and laid [their] hand on their mouth;
as a token of silence, ( Judges 18:19 ) .

Job 29:9 In-Context

7 "When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square,

8 The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood;

9 The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth;

10 The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

11 When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me;