Job 27 1

Job 27:1 kjv

Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

Job 27:1 nkjv

Moreover Job continued his discourse, and said:

Job 27:1 niv

And Job continued his discourse:

Job 27:1 esv

And Job again took up his discourse, and said:

Job 27:1 nlt

Job continued speaking:

Job 27 verses

Job 27 1 Meaning

Job chapter 27 verse 1 signifies Job's deliberate resumption of his profound discourse. After a period where his friends have ceased their arguments or offered only brief remarks, Job consciously "took up" or "continued" his weighty and authoritative pronouncements. This opening phrase sets the stage for his final and extended declaration of integrity, unwavering faith in God despite his suffering, and his wisdom. It implies a formal, poetic, and perhaps prophetic nature to his upcoming speech, differentiating it from mere conversation.

Job 27 1 Context

Job chapter 27 verse 1 serves as the formal introduction to Job’s concluding speeches, which extend through chapter 31. This verse follows what appears to be the conclusion of the dialogue with his three friends, particularly after Bildad’s extremely short and seemingly exhausted final utterance in chapter 25-26. Some scholars interpret chapter 25-26 as part of Job’s speech, signaling the friends' complete silence. Regardless, by chapter 27, Job has essentially silenced his companions. This gives him the stage for a final, extensive defense of his integrity, an assertion of his suffering despite his righteousness, and a meditation on divine wisdom. The phrase "continued his discourse" highlights Job taking the initiative, seizing the moment to speak authoritatively and comprehensively without interruption, presenting his unwavering position to the end.

Job 27 1 Word analysis

• Moreover:

  • This is an English translation, indicating continuation or addition.
  • The original Hebrew, "וַיֹּסֶף" (wayyoceph), derives from the verb "יָסַף" (yasaph), meaning "to add," "to increase," "to continue," or "to do again."
  • Significance: It clearly signals a renewed or continued action. It implies Job has paused or that the prior discussions (perhaps the friends' silence) have concluded, and he is now resuming his dominant role in the conversation, taking the floor once more. It sets the tone for an extended speech.

• Job:

  • Hebrew: "אִיּוֹב" (Iyyov). This is the protagonist of the book.
  • Significance: His name, possibly meaning "persecuted one" or "object of hostility," is central to the narrative. His continued suffering and persistent integrity define the context of his speech. It highlights that the words come from the one experiencing profound affliction yet upholding his righteousness before God and man.

• continued his discourse:

  • This translates the Hebrew "שְׂאֵת מְשָׁלוֹ" (se'eth m'shalo).
  • "שְׂאֵת" (se'eth) is related to the verb "נָשָׂא" (nasa), meaning "to lift," "to carry," or "to take up." In the context of speech, it means "to utter" or "to take up" a formal declaration.
  • "מְשָׁלוֹ" (m'shalo) is "his mashal." The word "מָשָׁל" (mashal) is crucial here. It can mean a "proverb," "parable," "riddle," "oracle," or a weighty "discourse." It denotes a formal, often profound, authoritative, or poetic utterance, distinct from ordinary speech. It implies deep thought and a significant pronouncement.
  • Significance: Job isn't just "speaking" but "taking up his authoritative discourse" or "lifting his weighty utterance." This term elevates the nature of Job’s speech from casual conversation to a solemn, profound, and possibly didactic or prophetic address. It is used elsewhere in the Bible for prophetic pronouncements (like Balaam's oracles) or profound wisdom teachings (like Solomon's proverbs or Psalms). It signals that Job's ensuing words are not off-the-cuff remarks but a deliberate, considered, and profound statement from his deepest convictions, reflecting wisdom and spiritual insight derived from his trials.

• and said:

  • Hebrew: "וַיֹּאמַר" (wayyo'mer), from "אָמַר" (amar), meaning "to say" or "to speak."
  • Significance: This is a standard biblical introductory phrase for direct speech. While "continued his discourse" specifies what kind of speech, "and said" merely introduces the words that follow. Its combination with "mashal" further emphasizes the formality and gravity of Job’s impending words, linking the elevated nature of his "mashal" with the simple act of utterance.

Job 27 1 Bonus section

The structure of Job's speeches, particularly this shift marked by "mashal," aligns him with prophetic figures or wise men in the biblical tradition, suggesting his words carry significant theological weight. His choice to "take up his mashal" after his friends have no more arguments underscores his spiritual resilience and intellectual superiority in this theological debate. It is Job’s self-chosen moment to declare his final position unequivocally. This introduction prepares the reader for the profundity and unique character of Job’s following soliloquies, setting them apart from the prior argumentative exchanges.

Job 27 1 Commentary

Job 27:1 acts as a pivotal moment, ushering in Job's grand concluding address (chapters 27-31). The specific phrasing "continued his discourse" using the word "mashal" is highly significant. It implies a transition from a back-and-forth debate with his friends to a more formal, sustained, and weighty pronouncement from Job himself. This "mashal" signifies a discourse of deep wisdom, authority, and perhaps even a prophetic dimension, elevated beyond everyday conversation. Job, now with the full attention of his audience (his silenced friends and God as his ultimate hearer), presents his comprehensive and final argument: affirming his righteousness, seeking God's intervention, and articulating a profound theology of divine wisdom, even amidst unexplainable suffering. His continued utterance is not one of defeat, but of sustained conviction and unyielding integrity in the face of immense adversity. This setting allows Job to give his final, unchallenged, and authoritative word, leading directly into his oath of integrity in chapter 31.