Job 29:9
◄  Job 29:9  ►
New International Version (©2011)
the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;

New Living Translation (©2007)
The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.

English Standard Version (©2001)
the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth;

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"The princes stopped talking And put their hands on their mouths;

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Nobles would refrain from speaking, covering their mouths with their hands.

NET Bible (©2006)
the chief men refrained from talking and covered their mouths with their hands;

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Princes held back [their] words and put their hands over their mouths.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
The princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

American King James Version
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

American Standard Version
The princes refrained from talking, And laid their hand on their mouth;

Douay-Rheims Bible
The princes ceased to speak, and laid the finger on their mouth.

Darby Bible Translation
Princes refrained from talking, and laid the hand on their mouth;

English Revised Version
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth;

Webster's Bible Translation
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

World English Bible
The princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

Young's Literal Translation
Princes have kept in words, And a hand they place on their mouth.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

29:7-17 All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - The princes refrained talking. The other head-men of the tribe, recognizing Job's superior rank and dignity, refrained from words as soon as he made his appearance, and in silence awaited what he would say. Perhaps we are scarcely to understand literally the further statement that they laid their hand on their mouth, which is probably as much an idiom as our phrase, "they held their tongues "(comp. Job 21:5).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The princes refrained talking,.... Who were in court before Job came in, and were either talking with one another about indifferent matters, or were giving their opinion in a case before them; but no sooner did Job make his appearance, but they left off talking, and would not proceed any further; they laid a restraint upon their words, and curbed themselves from speaking any more till they had heard his opinion:

and laid their hand on their mouth; as a token of silence, Judges 18:19.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. (Job 4:2; see on [528]Job 21:5).

Refrained talking—stopped in the middle of their speech.

Job 29:9 Parallel Commentaries

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Job's Former Blessings
…8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10The nobles held their peace, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. …

Judges 18:19 They answered him, "Be quiet! Don't say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest. Isn't it better that you serve a tribe and clan in Israel as priest rather than just one man's household?"
Job 21:5 Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth.
Job 29:8 the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet;
Job 29:21 "People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
Job 40:4 "I am unworthy--how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.