Job 29 10

Job 29:10 kjv

The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

Job 29:10 nkjv

The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

Job 29:10 niv

the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

Job 29:10 esv

the voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

Job 29:10 nlt

The highest officials of the city stood quietly,
holding their tongues in respect.

Job 29 verses

Job 29 10 Meaning

Job 29:10 vividly describes the profound respect and silent reverence that Job commanded in his days of prosperity. Even the highest-ranking and most influential members of society, the nobles, were rendered speechless by his presence and wisdom, their tongues metaphorically sticking to the roofs of their mouths. This imagery underscores the compelling nature of Job's counsel and the overwhelming authority of his words, which silenced all opposition and captivated all who heard him.

Job 29 10 Context

Job 29 begins Job's poignant lament, looking back on his life before affliction. He vividly recalls a period of profound prosperity, respect, and influence within his community. Chapter 29 serves as a stark contrast to his present state of suffering and dishonor, emphasizing the magnitude of his fall. Within this context, verse 10 specifically describes Job's commanding presence in public assemblies where important community matters and judgments were settled. It highlights that even those in positions of power and authority—the "nobles"—were so impressed by his wisdom and the justness of his counsel that they became utterly silent, yielding entirely to his words. This historical account underlines Job's past integrity and social standing, forming part of his comprehensive argument to his friends that his current immense suffering is inexplicable given his previous blameless life.

Job 29 10 Word analysis

• The nobles (הַשָּׂרִים - hassārîm): This term refers to "princes," "chiefs," or "leading officials." These were not common citizens but individuals of high societal rank, power, and authority who were accustomed to being heard and whose words carried significant weight in community deliberations. Their silence indicates the exceptional impact Job had.
• held their peace (נֶאֱלָמוּ - ne'ělāmû): From a root signifying "to be silent" or "speechless." This implies more than just choosing to be quiet; it suggests a profound inability to speak, as if overwhelmed or convinced. It emphasizes the absolute and undeniable nature of Job's persuasive power.
• and their tongue (וּלְשׁוֹנָם - ûlĕšônām): The tongue is the organ of speech, symbolizing a person's ability to communicate, argue, or contribute to discourse. Its state directly reflects their capacity for verbal interaction.
• cleaved (נִדְבְּקָה - nidbəqâ): This strong verb means "to cling," "stick fast," or "adhere firmly." It portrays a vivid, almost physical, image of the tongue being stuck and immobilized. It conveys an involuntary and complete cessation of speech, signifying an overwhelming impression or inability to find words of contradiction.
• to the roof of their mouth (לְחִכָּם - lĕḥikkām): Refers to the palate. When the tongue is pressed firmly against the palate, it becomes impossible to articulate words. This detail emphasizes the total, physical-like inability of the nobles to speak, underscoring the profound awe or conviction Job inspired.

• "The nobles held their peace": This phrase directly contrasts with the expected role of nobles, who were societal leaders and typically vocal in public affairs and judicial proceedings. Their voluntary or involuntary silence in Job's presence underscores his commanding authority and the unparalleled respect accorded to his wisdom and counsel. It suggests that Job's pronouncements were so profound and right that there was simply nothing for these esteemed individuals to add or contest.
• "and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth": This powerful, perhaps hyperbolic, idiom depicts absolute speechlessness. It conveys a complete inability to articulate a response or counter-argument, signifying an extreme level of awe, conviction, or being utterly stunned by Job's wisdom, righteousness, or very presence. It highlights that Job's influence went beyond mere verbal persuasion; it was a deeply impactful and silencing authority.

Job 29 10 Bonus section

This verse powerfully serves as an essential component of Job's argument for his blamelessness in the face of his friends' accusations, reinforcing the picture of his exemplary life. It taps into an ancient Near Eastern cultural value placed on wise counsel in public discourse, where a single revered individual could bring order and quiet any contentious debates. The vivid physiological metaphor of the "cleaving tongue" is found elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Psa 22:15, Lam 4:4) where it signifies distress, thirst, or divine judgment; however, in Job 29:10, its use distinctly communicates reverential awe and the compelling moral force of Job's wisdom. This image anticipates the eventual divine intervention in Job 40:4-5, where Job himself is similarly rendered speechless and unable to reply before the majesty of the LORD.

Job 29 10 Commentary

Job 29:10 captures a snapshot of Job's revered status before his intense suffering. It powerfully illustrates the moral authority and profound wisdom he possessed, which commanded widespread and unquestioning respect, particularly from the societal elite. The imagery of nobles being rendered speechless, their tongues clinging to the roofs of their mouths, signifies not just their quiet assent, but an overwhelming conviction or awe that made any attempt to speak impossible or unnecessary. This verse portrays Job as a figure of such righteousness and discernment that his presence alone established an atmosphere of unchallengeable truth, profoundly impacting those around him and making his current state of dishonor all the more perplexing and tragic.

• Practical application:
  • Genuine wisdom and integrity can naturally command profound respect without needing to resort to coercion or loud assertion.
  • True authority is rooted in character and a divine capacity to offer impactful and just counsel, silencing discord.
  • A life consistently marked by godliness and sound judgment creates an inherent gravity that causes others to listen, learn, and even yield in humble recognition.