Job 2 13

Job 2:13 kjv

So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Job 2:13 nkjv

So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.

Job 2:13 niv

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Job 2:13 esv

And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Job 2:13 nlt

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

Job 2 verses

Job 2 13 Meaning

Job 2:13 describes the compassionate and silent presence of Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—who, upon seeing his profound suffering, sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights without speaking. Their silence stemmed from the overwhelming magnitude of Job's pain, acknowledging that words were inadequate for such deep sorrow.

Job 2 13 Context

Job 2:13 occurs at a critical juncture in the narrative of Job. Having already lost his possessions and children (Chapter 1), Job is then afflicted with grievous boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head by Satan's permission (Job 2:7-8). This verse describes the immediate aftermath of his physical suffering and the arrival of his three friends, who had heard of his misfortune. They find him sitting in ashes among his pain. This verse acts as a pivotal moment, marking the end of Job's direct suffering narratives and the beginning of the prolonged theological dialogues between Job and his friends, which dominate the central portion of the book. Historically, it reflects the ancient Near Eastern customs of mourning, which involved outward expressions of grief like tearing clothes, sitting in dust and ashes, and periods of solemn silence to honor the mourner's pain and plight. This initial silent empathy from his friends provides a stark contrast to the theological disputes and misguided counsel that follow.

Job 2 13 Word analysis

• So they sat (וַיֵּשְׁבוּ, wayyêšeḇû): Derived from the Hebrew root יָשַׁב (yashav), meaning "to sit, dwell, remain." Here, it signifies not merely taking a seat, but settling in with Job, indicating a commitment to being present with him in his suffering. This posture of sitting on the ground (next point) implies humility, solidarity, and shared distress, rather than offering immediate, perhaps unhelpful, verbal advice. It's a non-verbal act of empathy.
• with him (אִתּוֹ, ʾittô): The preposition ’itt with the pronominal suffix ō ("him"). Emphasizes their proximity and unity with Job. It's an active decision to enter into his sphere of grief, rather than observing from a distance. Their presence signifies true companionship.
• on the ground (לָאָרֶץ, lāʾāreṣ): Literally "to the ground" or "on the earth." Sitting on the ground, especially in dust and ashes (mentioned in Job 2:8), was a traditional ancient Near Eastern posture of deep mourning, humiliation, and desolation (cf. Isa 3:26, Lam 2:10, Jonah 3:6). It visually communicates solidarity in the lowest possible state, recognizing Job's extreme humiliation and grief.
• seven days and seven nights (שִׁבְעַת יָמִים וְשִׁבְעַת לֵילוֹת, šīḇ‘aṯ yāmîm wəšīḇ‘aṯ lēlōṯ): "Seven" is a number representing completeness or perfection in biblical numerology. This indicates a full, ritually prescribed, and uninterrupted period of mourning. It reflects an extended, patient period of silent presence, observing a full cycle of day and night for an entire week, symbolizing a profound depth of sorrow and unwavering commitment to be with Job in his despair before any words were uttered. This mirrors ancient mourning customs.
• and no one spoke a word to him (וְאֵין דָּבָר, wəʾên dāḇār): Literally "and no word" or "and there was not a word." This is a powerful statement about their initial, wise response. In a situation of overwhelming suffering, the most comforting thing was not immediate advice or theological explanation, but simply presence and silent empathy. This initial silence stands in stark contrast to their later extensive and often misguided speeches, highlighting the profound wisdom in knowing when to refrain from speaking, especially when sorrow is too deep for conventional consolation.
• for they saw (כִּי רָאוּ, kî rāʾû): The Hebrew particle kî (because/for) introduces the reason for their silence. Ra’u (they saw) emphasizes their observation and understanding of his condition. Their silence was not random but a direct, discerning response to what they witnessed, suggesting an initial moment of acute empathy and wisdom. They didn't just hear of it; they truly perceived its gravity.
• that his suffering was very great (מַכְאוֹבוֹ גָּדוֹל מְאֹד, maḵʾōḇō gāḏōl mĕʾōḏ):
  • suffering (מַכְאוֹבוֹ, maḵʾōḇō): Derived from the root כָאב (kaʾav), meaning "to suffer, to hurt, to grieve." This noun specifically denotes deep, acute pain, both physical and emotional/spiritual. The suffix ō ("his") intensifies the personal nature of Job's agony.
  • very great (גָּדוֹל מְאֹד, gāḏōl mĕʾōḏ): Gadôl means "great," and me’od means "very much" or "exceedingly." This superlative phrase powerfully conveys the overwhelming and unprecedented nature of Job's pain. It suggests that his suffering was beyond normal human experience, demanding a response that transcended ordinary social norms and typical comforting words. The immense scale of his affliction rendered human words insufficient and inappropriate, validating their decision to remain silent.

Job 2 13 Bonus section

The concept of a "ministry of presence" finds a strong foundation in this verse. The friends, for this significant period, offered Job not solutions or theological propositions, but simply their companionship and shared silence. This pre-verbal phase of support acknowledges that some pains transcend language and human comprehension, demanding only a shared space of lament. Their silence, though short-lived in the broader narrative, sets an important biblical precedent: that being with someone in their suffering can be the purest form of compassion, far exceeding the initial stages of communication often employed in pastoral care. This also contrasts with their later role as disputants, underscoring how true support can morph into misguided advice when silent empathy is abandoned for intellectual engagement or theological explanation.

Job 2 13 Commentary

Job 2:13 offers a profound lesson in compassionate presence. Upon witnessing Job's abject suffering, his friends demonstrated true empathy by joining him in his state of despair, sitting on the ground, signifying shared humiliation and sorrow. Their silent vigil for seven days and nights speaks volumes: it acknowledged the incomprehensible depth of Job's pain without diminishing it with superficial comfort or immediate answers. This initial act highlights the spiritual maturity of active listening and the wisdom of silent companionship when facing extreme grief. It teaches that often, in moments of deep distress, presence and quiet solidarity are far more valuable than well-intended but ill-timed words, a stark contrast to the judgmental pronouncements that would follow. It provides a model for ministering to those in overwhelming anguish: to be present, to identify with their sorrow, and to patiently bear witness to their pain before attempting to offer explanations or advice.

Example: When a friend experiences the sudden loss of a loved one, sitting quietly beside them, holding their hand, or simply being present without feeling the need to fill the silence with platitudes is a deeply empathetic act, mirroring the initial wisdom of Job's friends.