Job 40:4 ““Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand o…”

Job 40:4

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

World English Bible

“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

American Standard Version

Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth.

Geneva Bible 1599

Or hast thou an arme like God? or doest thou thunder with a voyce like him?

Darby Translation

Behold, I am nought: what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.

Young's Literal Translation

Lo, I have been vile, What do I return to Thee? My hand I have placed on my mouth.

Bible in Basic English

Truly, I am of no value; what answer may I give to you? I will put my hand on my mouth.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“Behold”

Job 42:6 Genesis 18:27 Ezra 9:6 Genesis 32:10 Isaiah 6:5 Luke 5:8

Job 42:6 · BSB

Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

Genesis 18:27 · BSB

Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—

Ezra 9:6 · BSB

and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.

Genesis 32:10 · BSB

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.

Isaiah 6:5 · BSB

Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Luke 5:8 · BSB

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.”

“what”

Job 9:31–35 Job 16:21 Job 23:4–7 Job 31:37

Job 9:31–35 · BSB

then You would plunge me into the pit, and even my own clothes would despise me.

Job 16:21 · BSB

Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!

Job 23:4–7 · BSB

I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

Job 31:37 · BSB

I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

“I will”

Proverbs 30:32 Job 29:9 Job 21:5 Judges 18:19 Psalm 39:9 Micah 7:16

Proverbs 30:32 · BSB

If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.

Job 29:9 · BSB

The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands.

Job 21:5 · BSB

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

Judges 18:19 · BSB

“Be quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?…

Psalm 39:9 · BSB

I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

Micah 7:16 · BSB

Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their might. They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3Then Job answered the LORD:

5I have spoken once, but I have no answer— twice, but I have nothing to add.”

Read Job 40