Job 40:7
New International Version
“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

New Living Translation
“Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

English Standard Version
“Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Berean Standard Bible
“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

King James Bible
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

New King James Version
“Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me:

New American Standard Bible
“Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me.

NASB 1995
“Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me.

NASB 1977
“Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you make Me know.

Amplified Bible
“Now gird up your loins (prepare yourself) like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me.

Christian Standard Bible
Get ready to answer me like a man; When I question you, you will inform me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Get ready to answer Me like a man; When I question you, you will inform Me.

American Standard Version
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Contemporary English Version
Face me and answer the questions I ask!

English Revised Version
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Brace yourself like a man! I will ask you, and you will teach me.

Good News Translation
Now stand up straight and answer my questions.

International Standard Version
"Stand up like a man! I'll ask you some questions, and you give me some answers!

Majority Standard Bible
?Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

NET Bible
"Get ready for a difficult task like a man. I will question you and you will inform me!

New Heart English Bible
"Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou to me.

World English Bible
“Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Now gird your loins as a man, "" I ask you, and you cause Me to know.

Young's Literal Translation
Gird, I pray thee, as a man, thy loins, I ask thee, and cause thou Me to know.

Smith's Literal Translation
Gird up now thy loins as a man; I will ask thee, and do thou make known to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Gird up thy loins like a man : I will ask thee, and do thou tell me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Gird your waist like a man. I will question you, and you must answer me.

New American Bible
Gird up your loins now, like a man. I will question you, and you tell me the answers!

New Revised Standard Version
“Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Gird up your loins now like a man; I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Wrap now your loins as a mighty man. I shall ask you; teach me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Gird up thy loins now like a man; I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto Me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Nay, gird up now thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD
6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 7“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. 8Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?…

Cross References
Job 38:3
Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

Job 42:4
You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’

Isaiah 50:8-9
The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me! / Surely the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is there to condemn Me? See, they will all wear out like a garment; the moths will devour them.

Isaiah 41:21
“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.

Jeremiah 1:17
Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.

Ezekiel 2:6-7
But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. / But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.

1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Psalm 94:16
Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against the workers of iniquity?

Psalm 50:21
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

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?”

1 Corinthians 4:4-5
My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. / Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

Ephesians 6:14
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,


Treasury of Scripture

Gird up your loins now like a man: I will demand of you, and declare you to me.

Gird

Job 13:22
Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

Job 23:3,4
Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! …

Job 38:3
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

I

Job 42:4
Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

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Job 40
1. Job humbles himself to God
6. God stirs him up to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom
16. Of the behemoth














Brace yourself like a man
This phrase is a divine command from God to Job, urging him to prepare for a direct encounter with the Almighty. The Hebrew word for "brace" is "אֱזָר" (ezar), which conveys the idea of girding oneself, often used in the context of preparing for battle or a significant challenge. In ancient times, men would gird their loins by tucking their garments into their belts to allow for freedom of movement. This imagery suggests readiness and strength, calling Job to prepare himself mentally and spiritually for the profound dialogue with God. It is a call to courage and fortitude, emphasizing the seriousness of the forthcoming divine discourse.

I will question you
Here, God indicates His intention to interrogate Job. The Hebrew root "שָׁאַל" (sha'al) means to inquire or demand an answer. This is a reversal of roles, as Job had been questioning God throughout his trials. Now, God asserts His authority and wisdom, turning the tables to question Job. This phrase underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and human limitation, reminding readers that God's understanding and purposes are far beyond human comprehension.

and you shall inform Me
This phrase completes the divine challenge, with God expecting a response from Job. The Hebrew word "יָדַע" (yada) means to know or to make known. It implies that Job is to provide answers or explanations to God's questions. This is not merely a rhetorical device but a profound moment where Job is invited to reflect on his understanding of God's nature and his own place in creation. It highlights the importance of humility and the recognition of human limitations in the face of divine wisdom. This call to inform God is not about providing new information to the Omniscient but about Job's realization and acknowledgment of his own limitations and the vastness of God's wisdom.

Verse 7. - Gird up thy loins now like a man (see the comment on Job 38:3): I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Job is given every opportunity of making good his pleas before God. If he has anything to say that he really wishes to urge, God is ready, nay, anxious, to hear him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Now
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

brace
אֱזָר־ (’ĕ·zār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 247: To gird, encompass, equip

yourself
חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ (ḥă·lā·ṣe·ḵā)
Noun - mdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2504: The loins

like a man;
כְגֶ֣בֶר (ḵə·ḡe·ḇer)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply

I will question you,
אֶ֝שְׁאָלְךָ֗ (’eš·’ā·lə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

and you shall answer Me.
וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ (wə·hō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know


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OT Poetry: Job 40:7 Now brace yourself like a man (Jb)
Job 40:6
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