Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can keep from speaking? New Living Translation “Will you be patient and let me say a word? For who could keep from speaking out? English Standard Version “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking? Berean Standard Bible “If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking? King James Bible If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking? New King James Version “If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking? New American Standard Bible “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? NASB 1995 “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? NASB 1977 “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? Legacy Standard Bible “If one tries a word with you, will you become weary? But who can hold back from speaking? Amplified Bible “If we dare to converse with you, will you be impatient [or offended]? But who can restrain himself from speaking? Christian Standard Bible Should anyone try to speak with you when you are exhausted? Yet who can keep from speaking? Holman Christian Standard Bible Should anyone try to speak with you when you are exhausted? Yet who can keep from speaking? American Standard Version If one assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking? Contemporary English Version Please be patient and listen to what I have to say. * English Revised Version If one assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking? GOD'S WORD® Translation "If someone tries to talk to you, will you become impatient? But who can keep from talking? International Standard Version "Will you get offended if somebody tries to talk to you? Who can keep from speaking at a time like this? Majority Standard Bible ?If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking? NET Bible "If someone should attempt a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? New Heart English Bible "If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking? Webster's Bible Translation If we essay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can refrain from speaking? World English Bible “If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking? Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Has one tried a word with you? You are weary! And who is able to keep in words? Young's Literal Translation Hath one tried a word with thee? -- Thou art weary! And to keep in words who is able? Smith's Literal Translation Trying the word to thee shalt thou be weary? who shall be able to with hold in speaking? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf we begin to speak to thee, perhaps thou wilt take it ill, but who can withhold the words he hath conceived? Catholic Public Domain Version If we start to speak to you, perhaps you will take it badly, but who can hold back the words he has conceived? New American Bible If someone attempts a word with you, would you mind? How can anyone refrain from speaking? New Revised Standard Version “If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? But who can keep from speaking? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf I venture to speak with you, will you be wearied? But who can restrain himself from speaking with you? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “If I begin to speak with you, will you be worn out? And who can withhold words from you? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking? Brenton Septuagint Translation Hast thou been often spoken to in distress? but who shall endure the force of thy words? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: 2“If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking? 3Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.… Cross References Proverbs 15:23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Ecclesiastes 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 17:27 A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. Proverbs 12:18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Treasury of Scripture If we assay to commune with you, will you be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking? to commune. 2 Corinthians 2:4-6 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you… 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season… withhold himself from speaking. Job 32:18-20 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me… Jeremiah 6:11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days. Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jump to Previous Able Assay Commune Essayed Grieved Impatient Mind Offended Refrain Someone Speaking Talk Tried Venture Weariness Weary Wilt Withhold Word Words WouldestJump to Next Able Assay Commune Essayed Grieved Impatient Mind Offended Refrain Someone Speaking Talk Tried Venture Weariness Weary Wilt Withhold Word Words WouldestJob 4 1. Eliphaz reproves Job that the innocent do not suffer7. He teaches God's judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked. 12. His fearful vision to humble the excellency of creatures before God. If one ventures a word with you, This phrase introduces the speech of Eliphaz, one of Job's friends. Eliphaz is attempting to approach Job with caution, acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, it was customary to offer counsel or wisdom in times of distress. Eliphaz's approach reflects the wisdom literature tradition, where dialogue and discourse are used to explore deep truths. This phrase sets the tone for a respectful yet probing conversation. will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking? Persons / Places / Events 1. Eliphaz the TemaniteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Eliphaz is the first to speak and is known for his wisdom and experience. He is from Teman, a place known for its wise men. 2. Job The central figure of the Book of Job, known for his righteousness and suffering. Job is enduring immense trials and is seeking understanding and comfort. 3. Teman A region in Edom, known for its wise men. It is often associated with wisdom and counsel in the Old Testament. 4. The Dialogue This verse marks the beginning of the dialogue between Job and his friends, where they attempt to explain his suffering and offer counsel. 5. The Suffering of Job The backdrop of this conversation is Job's intense suffering, which prompts his friends to speak and offer their perspectives. Teaching Points The Importance of Timing in SpeechEliphaz's question highlights the need for discernment in when to speak. In our interactions, we should consider whether our words are timely and appropriate. The Challenge of Comforting Others Eliphaz's attempt to comfort Job reminds us of the difficulty in offering support to those who are suffering. We must approach such situations with humility and empathy. The Human Need to Speak Eliphaz's compulsion to speak reflects a common human tendency to offer solutions or explanations. We should be mindful of when silence might be more beneficial than words. The Role of Friends in Times of Suffering The presence of Job's friends, despite their flawed counsel, underscores the importance of community and support during trials. The Limits of Human Wisdom Eliphaz's speech, while well-intentioned, reveals the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine mysteries and suffering.IV. (2) If we assay.--Rather, perhaps, Has one ever assayed? or, Has a word ever been tried? It appears from Job 29:9-10, that Job was held in great honour and reverence by all, and Eliphaz regarded him with awe such as would have constrained him to be silent, but he is so convinced that Job is wrong and deserves reproof, that he cannot refrain from speaking. He strikes a note, however, which the friends all sound, namely, that it is the wicked who suffer, and that all who suffer must be wicked. This, in a variety of forms, is the sum and substance of what they have to say. Verse 2. - If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? rather, If one assay a word against thee wilt thou be angry? Eliphaz feels that what he is about to say will be unwelcome, and, as it were, apologizes beforehand. Surely Job will not be angry if a friend just ventures a word. But who can withhold himself from speaking? Let Job be angry or not, Eliphaz must speak. It is impossible to hear such words as Job has uttered, and yet keep silence. God's wisdom and justice have been impugned, and must be vindicated.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “If one venturesהֲנִסָּ֬ה (hă·nis·sāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5254: To test, to attempt a word דָבָ֣ר (ḏā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause with you, אֵלֶ֣יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to will you be wearied? תִּלְאֶ֑ה (til·’eh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3811: To tire, to be, disgusted Yet who מִ֣י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can יוּכָֽל׃ (yū·ḵāl) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3201: To be able, have power keep וַעְצֹ֥ר (wa‘·ṣōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble from speaking? בְּ֝מִלִּ֗ין (bə·mil·lîn) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4405: A word, a discourse, a topic Links Job 4:2 NIVJob 4:2 NLT Job 4:2 ESV Job 4:2 NASB Job 4:2 KJV Job 4:2 BibleApps.com Job 4:2 Biblia Paralela Job 4:2 Chinese Bible Job 4:2 French Bible Job 4:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 4:2 If someone ventures to talk with you (Jb) |
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