Bible Commentary

Job 21:5

The Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Mark me; literally, look to me; i.e. "attend to me," for I am about to say something well worth attention. And be astonished. Prepare yourselves, i.e; for something that will astonish you. And lay your hand upon your mouth.

Harpocrates, the Egyptian god of silence, was often represented with his finger on his lips. The symbolism is almost universal. Job begs his auditors to "refrain their lips," and, however much astonished, to keep silence until he has concluded.

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Matthew Henry on Job 21:1-6Job 21:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryJob comes closer to the question in dispute. This was, Whether outward prosperity is a mark of the true church, and the true members of it, so that ruin of a man's prosperity proves him a hypocrite? This they asserted,…The Reply of Job to Zophar. (b. c. 1520.)Job 21:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE REPLY OF JOB TO ZOPHAR. (B. C. 1520.) Job here recommends himself, both his case and his discourse, both what he suffered and what he said, to the compassionate consideration of his friends. 1. That which he entreat…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34Job 21:1-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryJob answers Zophar, as he had answered Bildad, in a single not very lengthy chapter. After a few caustic introductory remarks (verses 2-4), he takes up the challenge which Zophar had thrown out, respecting the certain p…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34Job 21:1-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34Job 21:1-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryDiverse interpretations of life. The friends of Job remain entrenched in the one firm position, as they think it, which they have from the first taken up. No appeals on his part have availed to soften their hearts, or i…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34Job 21:1-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryJob to Zophar: Audi alteram partem. I. THE SPIRIT OF JOB'S REPLY. 1. Intense earnestness. Indicated by the respectful invitation addressed to his friends to attend to his discourse, the nervous reduplication of the verb…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Job 21:1-6Job comes closer to the question in dispute. This was, Whether outward prosperity is a mark of the true church, and the true members of it, so that ruin of a man's prosperity proves him a hypocrite? This they asserted,…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Reply of Job to Zophar. (b. c. 1520.)THE REPLY OF JOB TO ZOPHAR. (B. C. 1520.) Job here recommends himself, both his case and his discourse, both what he suffered and what he said, to the compassionate consideration of his friends. 1. That which he entreat…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34Job to Zophar: Audi alteram partem. I. THE SPIRIT OF JOB'S REPLY. 1. Intense earnestness. Indicated by the respectful invitation addressed to his friends to attend to his discourse, the nervous reduplication of the verb…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34Job answers Zophar, as he had answered Bildad, in a single not very lengthy chapter. After a few caustic introductory remarks (verses 2-4), he takes up the challenge which Zophar had thrown out, respecting the certain p…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 21:1-34Diverse interpretations of life. The friends of Job remain entrenched in the one firm position, as they think it, which they have from the first taken up. No appeals on his part have availed to soften their hearts, or i…Joseph S. Exell and contributors