KJV ORIGINAL
When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
I waited for them to speak, but they remained silent and had no more answers to give.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Elihu is explaining that he waited respectfully for Job's three friends to finish their arguments, but they had run out of things to say.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Elihu, a younger man who had been listening to the lengthy debate between Job and his three older friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) about Job's suffering. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, younger people were expected to wait respectfully while their elders spoke first. Elihu had held his tongue until the older men had exhausted their arguments and fallen silent.
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