Job 21:5
Job 21:5 in Multiple Translations
Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth.
Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
Just take a look at me. Aren't you appalled? Cover your mouth with your hand in shock!
Marke mee, and be abashed, and lay your hand vpon your mouth.
Turn unto me, and be astonished, And put hand to mouth.
Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth.
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth.
Look at me! Does what you see not cause you to be appalled and to put your hands over your mouths and say no more?
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 21:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 21:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פְּנוּ
אֵלַ֥/י
וְ/הָשַׁ֑מּוּ
וְ/שִׂ֖ימוּ
יָ֣ד
עַל
פֶּֽה
פְּנוּ
pânâh
H6437
Corner (Gate)
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
וְ/הָשַׁ֑מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
be desolate
Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
וְ/שִׂ֖ימוּ
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
יָ֣ד
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
פֶּֽה
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 21:5
פְּנוּ
pânâh
H6437
"Corner (Gate)"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to turn or face something, like looking at a corner or a gate. It appears in descriptions of daily life and interactions, like in Genesis and Psalms. It's about changing direction or focus.
Definition: This name means corner, to turn, to turn back Another spelling of pin.nah (פִּנָּה "Corner( Gate)" H6438)
Usage: Occurs in 128 OT verses. KJV: appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). See also: Genesis 18:22; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 25:16.
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
וְ/הָשַׁ֑מּוּ
shâmêm
H8074
"be desolate"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
The word 'shamem' means to be desolate or devastated, like a place left empty and destroyed, often used to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.
Definition: : destroyed/deserted 1) to be desolate, be appalled, stun, stupefy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be desolated, be deflowered, be deserted, be appalled 1a2) to be appalled, be awestruck 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be desolated, be made desolate 1b2) to be appalled 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to be stunned 1c2) appalling, causing horror (participle) 1c2a) horror-causer, appaller (subst) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to devastate, ravage, make desolated 1d2) to appal, show horror 1e) (Hophal) to lay desolate, be desolated 1f) (Hithpolel) 1f1) to cause to be desolate 1f2) to be appalled, be astounded 1f3) to cause oneself desolation, cause oneself ruin
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. See also: Leviticus 26:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Psalms 40:16.
וְ/שִׂ֖ימוּ
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
יָ֣ד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פֶּֽה
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
Study Notes — Job 21:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 21:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 21:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:5
- Cambridge Bible on Job 21:5
- Barnes' Notes on Job 21:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:5
- Sermons on Job 21:5
Context — Job: God Will Punish the Wicked
3Bear with me while I speak; then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking.
4Is my complaint against a man? Then why should I not be impatient?
5Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth.
6When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror. 7Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 29:9 | The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands. |
| 2 | Job 40:4 | “Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth. |
| 3 | Judges 18:19 | “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?” |
| 4 | Proverbs 30:32 | If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth. |
| 5 | Job 17:8 | The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent are stirred against the godless. |
| 6 | Romans 11:33 | O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! |
| 7 | Amos 5:13 | Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil. |
| 8 | Micah 7:16 | 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. |
| 9 | Job 2:12 | When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head. |
| 10 | Job 19:20–21 | My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. |
Job 21:5 Summary
[In this verse, Job is asking his friends to look at him and be shocked by his suffering, and to be silent and respectful, as he feels they have not been taking his pain seriously. This is similar to the way Jesus asked his disciples to be silent before him in Matthew 17:9. Job is not being arrogant, but rather he is crying out for empathy and compassion, and seeking comfort and support from his friends. We can apply this verse to our own lives by being more mindful of the suffering of others and being willing to listen to them without judgment, as seen in James 1:19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Job asking his friends to do in this verse?
Job is asking his friends to look at him and be appalled, to be shocked by his suffering, and to put their hand over their mouth, which is a gesture of silence and respect, as seen in Job 21:5 and also in Job 40:4 where Job himself puts his hand over his mouth before God.
Why is Job asking his friends to be silent?
Job is asking his friends to be silent because he feels they have not been listening to him or understanding his pain, as mentioned in Job 21:3, and he wants them to acknowledge the severity of his situation before speaking, similar to the way the disciples were told to be silent before Jesus in Matthew 17:9.
Is Job being arrogant or prideful in this verse?
No, Job is not being arrogant or prideful, but rather he is expressing his deep emotional pain and frustration, as seen in Job 21:4, and he is asking his friends to take his suffering seriously, which is a cry for empathy and compassion, similar to the way Jesus cried out to God in Matthew 27:46.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by being more mindful of the suffering of others and being willing to listen to them without judgment, as seen in James 1:19, and by being honest about our own pain and struggles, as seen in Psalm 51:17, and seeking comfort and support from God and others.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show empathy and compassion to those who are suffering, just like Job is asking his friends to do?
- How can I be more mindful of the pain and struggles of those around me, and take the time to truly listen to them?
- What are some times in my life when I felt like Job, feeling misunderstood and alone in my suffering, and how did God comfort and support me during those times?
- How can I use my own experiences of suffering to help others who are going through similar struggles, and point them to the hope and comfort of God?
Gill's Exposition on Job 21:5
Mark me,.... Or "look at me" (n); not at his person, which was no lovely sight to behold, being covered with boils from head to foot, his flesh clothed with worms and clods of dust, his skin broken,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 21:5
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Lay ... hand upon ... mouth - (Proverbs 30:32; Judges 18:19). So the pagan god of silence was pictured with his hand on his mouth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 21:5
Consider what I am about to say concerning the wonderful prosperity of the worst of men, and the intolerable pressures of some good men, such as I have manifested and shall prove that I am, and it is able to fill you that are but spectators with astonishment and horror at the strange and mysterious course of Divine Providence herein; and therefore it is no wonder if I, who suffer such things from that God whom I have so faithfully served, am overwhelmed with the sense of it. Lay your hand upon your mouth, i.e. be silent, as this phrase is oft used, as ; for shame forbear to vex me with your words: or, you will lay, &c.; the imperative being put for the future, as is usual. I am persuaded you will be silenced and convinced by what I shall say.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 21:5
Job 21:5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay [your] hand upon [your] mouth.Ver. 5. Mark me, and be astonied] Heb. Look upon me. He had said before, Hear and hear, now, Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. Mark it, I say, and stand amazed at it. Did you ever find any on this side hell so sore afflicted as I am? Is it not because you are not duly affected with my miseries, that ye are so regardless of my discourse? Strange that my sorrows should be great enough to work astonishment, and yet not great enough to deserve attention. O mark first what I suffer, and then what I speak. And (this once done) lay your hand upon your mouth] Be swift to hear, but slow to speak; yea, spare to speak at all in this case.
The Greek proverb admonisheth men either to be silent or to speak something that is better than silence. Harpocrates, the heathenish god of silence, was pictured with his finger laid upon his lips.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 21:5
Verse 5. Mark me, and be astonished] Consider and compare the state in which I was once, with that in which I am now; and be astonished at the judgments and dispensations of God. You will then be confounded; you will put your hands upon your mouths, and keep silent. Putting the hand on the mouth, or the finger on the lips, was the token of silence. The Egyptian god Harpocrates, who was the god of silence, is represented with his finger compressing his upper lip.
Cambridge Bible on Job 21:5
5. The mystery which he will lay before them if they will mark it will strike them dumb. To “lay the hand upon the mouth” is a gesture of awe-struck silence, cf. ch. Job 40:4.
Barnes' Notes on Job 21:5
Mark me - Margin, “look unto.” Literally, “Look upon me. That is, attentively look on me, on my sufferings, on my disease, and my losses.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 21:5
5. Hand upon your mouth — (Compare Job 40:4; Proverbs 30:32; Micah 7:16.) The Egyptian mode of indicating silence was by placing the hand on the mouth.
Sermons on Job 21:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Flood by Lawrence Chambers | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the impending judgment that will come upon those who have been indifferent and careless towards the things of God. He describes a day when s |
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(I Want an Answer) Will I Ever Be Found Out? by Stephen Olford | In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a man who becomes drunk and neglects his faithful dog. One night, an intruder enters the man's garage, but the man is too intoxicat |
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Psalm 37:7 by Bill Ammon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and His children. He compares it to a mother comforting and caring for her child. The preacher also di |
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Knowing God Through Brokenness by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God personally and experiencing eternal life as defined by Jesus in John 17. It highlights that eternal life is not just living for |
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Job Chapter 40: by Stan Ford | In this sermon, the preacher references several verses from the Bible, including Matthew 6:26, Revelation 3:8, and Revelation 22:20. He emphasizes the message of the Christian fait |
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Studies in Job-03 Job-3 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Job and explores the theme of God's sovereignty and power. The sermon begins by highlighting God's role as the creator of the un |
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I Am of Small Account; What Shall I by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of humility and silence in our relationship with God, reflecting on Job's acknowledgment of his smallness before the Almighty. He contrasts the |