Job 40:4 - Forerunner Commentary

Job 40:4

2 “Shall ^athe one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
He who ^brebukes God, let him answer it.”

3 Then Job answered the Lord and said:

4 “Behold,^a I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
^bI lay my hand over my mouth.

5 Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

6 ^aThen the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

7 “Now¹^a prepare yourself like a man;
^bI will question you, and you shall answer Me:

8 “Would^a you indeed annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?

9 Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with ^aa voice like His?

10 ^aThen adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty.

Verse Comparison: Job 40:4

American Standard Version
Behold, I am of small account; What shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth.

Amplified® Bible
Behold, I am of small account {and} vile! What shall I answer You? I lay my hand upon my mouth.

Contemporary English Version
Who am I to answer you?

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

Good News Bible
(SEE 40:3)

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

New American Standard Bible
"Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.

New International Version
"I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.

New King James Version
“ Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"Behold, I feel insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.

Revised Standard Version
"Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand on 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.

New English Translation
“Indeed, I am completely unworthy¹ – how could I reply to you? I put² my hand over my mouth to silence myself.³