Job 2:13
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Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Their Silence: 13 And they sat with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights; and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his pain was very great. Ewald erroneously thinks that custom and propriety prescribed this seven days' silence; it was (as Eze 3:15) the force of the impression produced on them, and the fear of annoying the sufferer. But their long silence shows that they had not fully realized the purpose of their visit. Their feeling is overpowered by reflection, their sympathy by dismay. It is a pity that they let Job utter the first word, which they might have prevented by some word of kindly solace; for, becoming first fully conscious of the difference between his present and former position from their conduct, he breaks forth with curses.
Open source ↗We left Job honourably acquitted upon a fair trial between God and Satan concerning him. Satan had leave to touch, to touch and take, all he had, and was confident that he would then curse God to his face; but, on the contrary, he blessed him, and so he was proved an honest man and Satan a false accuser. Now, one would have thought, this would be conclusive, and that Job would never have his reputation called in question again; but Job is known to be armour of proof, and therefore is here set up for a mark, and brought upon his trial, a second time. I. Satan moves for another trial, which should touch his bone and his flesh (Job 2:1-5). II. God, for holy ends, permits it (Job 2:6). III. Satan smites him with a very painful and loathsome disease (Job 2:7, Job 2:8). IV. His wife tempts him to curse God, but he resists the temptation (Job 2:9, Job 2:10). V. His friends come to condole with him and to comfort him (Job 2:11-13). And in this that good man is set forth for an example of suffering affliction and of patience.
Open source ↗2:13 Job’s friends sat on the ground to identify with Job’s suffering (see 2:8). • The standard period for mourning the death of a notable person or for acknowledging other disastrous news was seven days and nights (Gen 50:10; 1 Sam 31:13; see also Ezek 3:14-15).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days.
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
I came to the exiles at Tel-abib who dwelt by the River Kebar. And for seven days I sat where they sat and remained there among them, overwhelmed.
And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
“If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking?
When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled out some hair from my head and beard, and sat down in horror.
You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.
God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of Chaldea! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate.