When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
I waited for them to speak, but they remained silent and had no more answers to give.
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
In the Book of Job, set in ancient patriarchal times, Job's three friends have been debating with him about the reasons for his suffering, insisting it's due to his sins, but they have now fallen silent after exhausting their arguments. Elihu, a younger man who has been listening, is preparing to speak, reflecting the cultural expectation in ancient Near Eastern societies that elders speak first and youth wait their turn. This moment highlights themes of patience and respect for wisdom in the midst of profound human suffering.
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