King James Version

What Does Job 29:10 Mean?

Job 29:10 in the King James Version says “The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. The nobles: Heb. The voice of the nobl...” — study this verse from Job chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. The nobles: Heb. The voice of the nobles was hid”

Job 29:10 · KJV

Peace

Context

8

The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.

9

The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

10

The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. The nobles: Heb. The voice of the nobles was hid

11

When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:

12

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

Read Job 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The nobles held their peace (qol nedibim קוֹל נְדִיבִים, voice of nobles; chaba חָבָא, was hidden/silent)—literally 'the voice of nobles was hidden.' Nedibim denotes willing, generous, noble persons, suggesting voluntary aristocracy rather than inherited title. Their voices, normally authoritative and influential, fell silent before Job's wisdom. And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth (leshon לְשׁוֹן, tongue; dabaq דָּבַק, to cling/cleave; chek חֵךְ, palate/roof of mouth)—vivid physiological imagery depicting complete speechlessness.

The verb dabaq appears in Genesis 2:24 ('cleave to his wife'), Ruth 1:14 (Ruth 'clave' to Naomi), and Psalm 137:6 ('let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth'). It suggests firm adhesion, clinging that cannot easily be separated. The nobles weren't merely politely quiet—they were struck dumb, unable to speak even if they wished. This intensifies verse 9's imagery: princes laid hands on mouths voluntarily; nobles' tongues cleaved involuntarily. Ezekiel uses similar language when God makes him mute (Ezekiel 3:26). The progression from verse 8 (young hide, aged stand) through verse 9 (princes silent) to verse 10 (nobles tongue-tied) builds to a climax of Job's former authority.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The distinction between 'princes' (v. 9) and 'nobles' (v. 10) reflects ancient Near Eastern social stratification. Nobles (nedibim) were generous, willing-hearted leaders who earned respect through character and benefaction, while princes (sarim) held official positions. Both classes fell silent before Job, demonstrating that his authority transcended both inherited position and earned reputation. This dual silencing indicates that Job's wisdom couldn't be attributed merely to political power or social standing but derived from genuine moral and intellectual superiority rooted in his fear of God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does authentic godly wisdom command respect across all social classes and positions?
  2. What does Job's capacity to silence the eloquent teach about the superiority of wisdom over mere rhetoric?
  3. How should this picture of earthly honor lost prepare Job (and us) to find ultimate identity and worth in God alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
קוֹל1 of 6

“their peace”

H6963

a voice or sound

נְגִידִ֥ים2 of 6

“The nobles”

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

נֶחְבָּ֑אוּ3 of 6

“held”

H2244

to secrete

וּ֝לְשׁוֹנָ֗ם4 of 6

“and their tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

לְחִכָּ֥ם5 of 6

“to the roof of their mouth”

H2441

properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)

דָּבֵֽקָה׃6 of 6

“cleaved”

H1692

properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 29:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 29:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 137:6Ezekiel 3:26

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