Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Job answered the LORD: New Living Translation Then Job replied to the LORD, English Standard Version Then Job answered the LORD and said: Berean Standard Bible Then Job answered the LORD: King James Bible Then Job answered the LORD, and said, New King James Version Then Job answered the LORD and said: New American Standard Bible Then Job answered the LORD and said, NASB 1995 Then Job answered the LORD and said, NASB 1977 Then Job answered the LORD and said, Legacy Standard Bible Then Job answered Yahweh and said, Amplified Bible Then Job replied to the LORD and said, Christian Standard Bible Then Job answered the LORD: Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Job answered the LORD: American Standard Version Then Job answered Jehovah, and said, Contemporary English Version Job said to the LORD: English Revised Version Then Job answered the LORD, and said, GOD'S WORD® Translation Job answered the LORD, International Standard Version Then Job replied to the LORD. He said: NET Bible Then Job answered the LORD: New Heart English Bible Then Job answered the LORD, Webster's Bible Translation Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Job answered the LORD: World English Bible Then Job answered Yahweh, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Job answers YHWH and says: Young's Literal Translation And Job answereth Jehovah, and saith: -- Smith's Literal Translation And Job will answer Jehovah, and say, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Job answered the Lord, and said : Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Then Job answered the LORD and said: New Revised Standard Version Then Job answered the LORD: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Job answered the LORD, and said, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Job answered and said to LORD JEHOVAH: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then Job answered the LORD, and said:And Job answered and said to the Lord, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD…2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” 3Then Job answered the LORD: 4“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.… Cross References Job 42:1-6 Then Job replied to the LORD: / “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. / You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ... Job 9:2-3 “Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God? / If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. Job 38:1-3 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: / “Who is this who obscures My counsel by words without knowledge? / Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. Job 23:3-5 If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat. / I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. / I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say. Job 31:35-37 (Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment. / Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown. / I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)— Isaiah 6:5 Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” Isaiah 40:14 Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding? Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? Isaiah 50:2 Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst. Jeremiah 1:6 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? Romans 9:20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” Romans 11:33-34 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. Treasury of Scripture Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Jump to Previous JobJump to Next JobJob 40 1. Job humbles himself to God6. God stirs him up to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom 16. Of the behemoth Then Job This marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Book of Job. Job, who has been suffering and questioning the reasons for his afflictions, is now given the opportunity to respond. The use of "then" indicates a transition from God's preceding speeches, where God challenges Job's understanding of divine wisdom and power. Job's response is significant as it follows God's overwhelming display of His creation and sovereignty, which humbles Job. answered the LORD Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central human figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, who engages in a dialogue with Job, challenging him and ultimately revealing His sovereignty and wisdom. 3. The Dialogue This verse marks the beginning of Job's response to God's second speech, where God questions Job's understanding and challenges his perspective on divine justice and power. Teaching Points Humility Before GodJob's response to God begins with humility. Recognizing our limitations in understanding God's ways is crucial for a faithful walk with Him. The Importance of Listening Job's answer comes after listening to God's speeches. We must prioritize listening to God's Word and seeking His wisdom in our lives. Acknowledging God's Sovereignty Job's dialogue with God reminds us of the importance of acknowledging God's ultimate control and authority over all creation. Trust in God's Wisdom Even when we do not understand our circumstances, trusting in God's wisdom and plan is essential for maintaining faith. Repentance and Submission Job's response sets the stage for his repentance and submission to God's will, a model for us when we face trials and questions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 40:3?2. How does Job 40:3 demonstrate humility in responding to God's challenge? 3. What can we learn from Job's response about acknowledging God's sovereignty? 4. How does Job 40:3 connect to themes of repentance in the New Testament? 5. In what ways can we apply Job's humility to our daily prayer life? 6. How does Job's answer in Job 40:3 guide us in facing personal trials? 7. How does Job 40:3 reflect human humility before God's power? 8. What is the significance of Job's response in Job 40:3? 9. How does Job 40:3 challenge our understanding of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 40? 11. Why does God appear silent or absent? 12. Why does Job 28 offer poetic descriptions of wisdom's source without reconciling them with scientific or pagan wisdom traditions of the time? 13. Why does Job 35:9 imply people cry out but receive no answer, contradicting verses elsewhere describing divine rescue? 14. In light of Job 35:16, why would a merciful God remain silent if Job's pleas are without merit, given other scriptures showing God responding to human need? What Does Job 40:3 Mean Then• Indicates sequence: God has just spoken (Job 40:1–2) challenging Job to “answer” Him; this is the immediate follow-up. • Marks a turning point; the whirlwind discourse (Job 38–39) has humbled Job and sets the stage for his brief reply. • Scripture often uses “then” to show decisive moments after divine revelation (Genesis 22:1–3; Isaiah 6:8). It signals that human response must follow God’s initiative. Job • The man God Himself called “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1). • His identity reminds us that even the most righteous need correction when confronting the Almighty (James 5:11; Ezekiel 14:14). • Job’s earlier speeches were lengthy; here his words will be few, illustrating growth in humility (compare Job 3; Job 29 with Job 40:4–5). answered • Response, not rebuttal. Job finally fulfills God’s request to “answer Me” (Job 38:3; 40:2). • Signifies submission: he no longer argues his case but acknowledges God’s supremacy (Job 42:2–3). • Highlights a biblical pattern—true reverence listens first, then speaks sparingly (Ecclesiastes 5:1–2; James 1:19). the LORD • The personal, covenant name used throughout the book (Job 1:21; 38:1). • Affirms that Job’s dialogue is with the sovereign Creator, not fate or friends (Psalm 115:3). • Emphasizes accountability: every human will ultimately answer to the LORD (Romans 14:11–12; Revelation 20:12). summary Job 40:3 is the brief hinge between God’s searching questions and Job’s humbled confession. “Then” situates the moment right after divine confrontation; “Job” reminds us of a righteous man still in need of refinement; “answered” shows a shift from debating to yielding; “the LORD” focuses all attention on the sovereign voice that demands—and deserves—human response. Verses 3, 4. - Then Job answered, the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile; literally, I am light; i.e. I am of small account (see the Revised Version). It would be absurd for one so weak and contemptible to attempt to argue with the Almighty. What shall I answer thee? or, What should I answer thee! What should I say, if I were to attempt a reply? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth (see the comment on Job 21:5).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Jobאִיּ֥וֹב (’î·yō·wḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 347: Job -- a patriarch answered וַיַּ֖עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond the LORD: יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Links Job 40:3 NIVJob 40:3 NLT Job 40:3 ESV Job 40:3 NASB Job 40:3 KJV Job 40:3 BibleApps.com Job 40:3 Biblia Paralela Job 40:3 Chinese Bible Job 40:3 French Bible Job 40:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 40:3 Then Job answered Yahweh (Jb) |