Job 40:5

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

Key Reflection

In Job 40:5, Job humbly acknowledges his own insignificance in the face of God's overwhelming power and majesty. By saying, "I am of small account," he recognizes that any attempt to argue with or challenge God would be futile. The gesture of laying his hand on his mouth further emphasizes this submission, as it silences him and signifies that he will not speak further against God’s sovereignty, reflecting a profound sense of reverence and acceptance of divine authority.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Once have I spoken -That is, in vindicating myself. He had once spoken of God in an irreverent and improper manner, and he now saw it. But I will not answer -I will not now answer, as I had expressed the wish to do. Job now saw that he had spoken in an improper manner, and he says that he would not repeat what he had said. Yea, twice -He had not only offended once, as if in a thoughtless and hasty manner, but he had repeated it, showing deliberation, and thus aggravating his guilt. When a man is brought to a willingness to confess that he has done wrong once, he will be very likely to see that he has been guilty of more than one offence.

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