Job 2:13

KJV

So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that [his] grief was very great.

KJV (with Strong's)

So they sat down {H3427} with him upon the ground {H776} seven {H7651} days {H3117} and seven {H7651} nights {H3915}, and none spake {H1696} a word {H1697} unto him: for they saw {H7200} that his grief {H3511} was very {H3966} great {H1431}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they sat down with him on the ground. For seven days and seven nights, no one spoke a word to him; because they saw how much he was suffering.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 2:13 profoundly captures the initial, empathetic response of Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—upon witnessing his catastrophic suffering. After traveling to mourn with him, they found Job in such an utterly desolate state that their immediate reaction was one of speechless solidarity. For seven days and seven nights, they sat with him on the ground, offering a powerful testament to the overwhelming nature of his grief, which rendered words inadequate and compelled a period of profound, shared silence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in the book of Job. It immediately follows the second wave of devastating calamities that befell Job: the loss of his children and vast wealth in a single day, detailed in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Initial Trials"), followed by the affliction of painful boils from head to foot, as described in [Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Job's Physical Affliction"). His wife had already urged him to curse God and die, leaving Job at the nadir of his existence. It is at this point that his three friends, having heard of his distress, arrive "to mourn with him and to comfort him" ([Job 2:11](/job/2-11 "Job 2:11 - The Arrival of Job's Friends")). Their initial response, recorded in [Job 2:12](/job/2-12 "Job 2:12 - Friends' Initial Reaction to Job's Appearance") and culminating in this verse, is one of profound, speechless empathy, acknowledging the unparalleled depth of his anguish before the long theological debates commence in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament and the Start of the Dialogues").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The actions of Job's friends in [Job 2:13](/job/2-13 "Job 2:13 - Friends' Silent Solidarity") are deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern mourning customs. The act of "sitting down with him upon the ground" was a common posture of mourning, humility, and desolation, often accompanied by tearing clothes and throwing dust on one's head, as Job himself did in [Job 2:8](/job/2-8 "Job 2:8 - Job Sits in Ashes"). The "seven days and seven nights" period was a significant and customary duration for deep mourning, signifying a complete and thorough expression of grief, seen in other biblical contexts (e.g., [Genesis 50:10](/genesis/50-10 "Genesis 50:10 - Mourning for Jacob") for Jacob, [1 Samuel 31:13](/1_samuel/31-13 "1 Samuel 31:13 - Mourning for Saul") for Saul). This extended silence was not merely a lack of words but a profound cultural acknowledgment that some suffering is so immense that immediate verbal comfort or explanation is inappropriate or even disrespectful, requiring instead a shared, silent presence.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the book of Job. Foremost is the theme of **Silent Empathy and Presence**, highlighting that true comfort in profound suffering often begins not with words or advice, but with compassionate, non-judgmental presence. The friends' initial silence stands in stark contrast to their later, often misguided and accusatory speeches that begin in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament"). It underscores the **Inadequacy of Human Words** in the face of overwhelming pain, suggesting that some grief is beyond articulation or easy explanation. Furthermore, the phrase "his grief was very great" emphasizes the **Unimaginable Depth of Job's Suffering**, a central inquiry of the book regarding the nature of pain, justice, and faith in the face of inexplicable adversity. This period of silence also subtly points to the **Mystery of Suffering**, acknowledging that not all pain can be neatly categorized or explained by human wisdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **grief (Hebrew, _ke'ev'_):** This noun (כְּאֵב) signifies deep pain, sorrow, or hurt, encompassing both physical and emotional anguish. Its use here emphasizes the profound, all-encompassing nature of Job's suffering, which was not merely physical discomfort but a soul-deep agony.
* **very great (Hebrew, _me'od'_):** The adverb (מְאֹד) serves as an intensifier, meaning "very, exceedingly, utterly, greatly." When combined with "grief," it underscores the overwhelming, immense, and unparalleled magnitude of Job's distress, making it immediately perceptible and daunting to his friends.
* **sat down (Hebrew, _yashav'_):** The verb (יָשַׁב) denotes "to sit, dwell, remain." In this context, it describes a deliberate posture of mourning and solidarity. Sitting on the ground, rather than standing or being elevated, signifies humility, desolation, and a willingness to share in the afflicted's low estate, embodying a profound act of companionship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they sat down with him upon the ground":** This clause describes the friends' immediate and deliberate action upon seeing Job. Their posture—sitting on the ground—is a culturally significant act of mourning and solidarity, indicating their shared humiliation and sorrow in the face of Job's utter desolation. It demonstrates a profound willingness to enter into his suffering.
* **"seven days and seven nights":** This specifies the duration of their initial, silent vigil. This extended period, a traditional length for deep mourning in the ancient Near East, emphasizes the intensity and completeness of their empathetic response. It was not a fleeting visit but a sustained commitment to being present with Job in his darkest hour.
* **"and none spake a word unto him":** This is a crucial element, highlighting the profound silence that characterized their presence. It signifies that Job's suffering was so immense and overwhelming that words were deemed inadequate, intrusive, or even disrespectful. This silence was an act of profound respect for the depth of his anguish.
* **"for they saw that [his] grief was very great":** This final clause provides the reason for their silence and prolonged presence. The immensity of Job's physical pain and emotional agony was so palpable and overwhelming that it compelled their speechless response. It was an acknowledgment that no human words could possibly alleviate or explain such profound suffering.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The extended duration of "seven days and seven nights" functions as **hyperbole** or **exaggeration**, emphasizing the extreme depth of the friends' empathy and the overwhelming nature of Job's suffering, which necessitated such a prolonged vigil. The act of "sitting down with him upon the ground" is rich in **symbolism**, representing humility, shared desolation, and a profound solidarity with the afflicted. It visually communicates their willingness to descend into Job's lowest state. Furthermore, the complete "silence" itself is a potent **symbol** of respect for overwhelming grief and the inadequacy of human words in the face of immense suffering. This initial, compassionate silence also serves as a subtle **foreshadowing** device, creating a stark contrast with the verbose, often misguided, and ultimately unhelpful theological debates that will dominate the subsequent chapters, thereby highlighting the difference between true empathetic presence and intellectualized discourse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 2:13 offers a profound theological lesson on the nature of true compassion and the limits of human understanding in the face of suffering. It challenges the common human impulse to immediately offer explanations, solutions, or theological justifications when confronted with intense pain. Instead, it elevates the spiritual power of silent, empathetic presence, suggesting that sometimes the most profound ministry is simply to "be with" the suffering, acknowledging their pain without judgment or the need to fix it. This verse underscores the mystery of suffering, reminding us that not all pain can be neatly explained or rationalized, and that our primary call is often to lament with those who lament, trusting that God is present even in the silence.

* [Romans 12:15](/romans/12-15 "Romans 12:15 - Weep with those who weep")
* [Ecclesiastes 3:7](/ecclesiastes/3-7 "Ecclesiastes 3:7 - A Time to Be Silent")
* [Lamentations 2:10](/lamentations/2-10 "Lamentations 2:10 - Mourning in Silence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 2:13 provides a timeless and challenging model for how we engage with those in deep distress. In a world that often values quick fixes, immediate answers, and eloquent advice, this verse reminds us of the profound power of simply being present. When confronted with someone's overwhelming grief, our natural inclination might be to speak, to offer comfort, to rationalize, or even to minimize their pain. However, Job's friends, in this initial moment, demonstrate the humility to recognize that some suffering is so immense that words fall short. Their silent solidarity for seven days and nights teaches us that true empathy often begins with listening, with allowing space for raw grief, and with the courage to sit in discomfort without feeling the need to fill the void with our own words. It calls us to prioritize compassionate presence over eloquent pronouncements, to weep with those who weep, and to trust that our unwavering presence can be a more powerful testament to love and solidarity than any well-intentioned advice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with someone's profound grief, what is our natural inclination, and how does Job 2:13 challenge that impulse?**
* **In what specific ways can silent presence and unwavering solidarity be more comforting and impactful than words or advice in times of deep distress?**
* **How does this verse inform our understanding of empathy and compassionate ministry within our communities and personal relationships?**

### FAQ
**Why did they sit for "seven days and seven nights" specifically?**

Answer: The "seven days and seven nights" refers to a customary and significant period of mourning in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This extended duration was not arbitrary but signified a deep, complete, and formal expression of sorrow. It was a ritualized period for communal lament, allowing ample time for the full weight of grief to be acknowledged and shared. This practice is seen in other biblical contexts (e.g., the mourning for Jacob in [Genesis 50:10](/genesis/50-10 "Genesis 50:10 - Mourning for Jacob") or for Saul in [1 Samuel 31:13](/1_samuel/31-13 "1 Samuel 31:13 - Mourning for Saul")). For Job, it underscored the unparalleled magnitude of his suffering, demanding such an extensive period of shared desolation.

**Why did they remain silent for such a long time?**

Answer: The friends remained silent because they were utterly overwhelmed by the sight of Job's suffering. The text explicitly states, "for they saw that [his] grief was very great." This indicates that Job's physical and emotional agony was so extreme and evident that it rendered them speechless. Their silence was an act of profound respect and acknowledgment that words were inadequate, perhaps even intrusive, in the face of such immense pain. It highlights a deep, initial empathy that recognized the limits of human language and wisdom. This initial compassionate silence stands in stark contrast to their later verbose and often misguided speeches, which begin in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament and the Start of the Dialogues"), where their theological explanations ultimately proved unhelpful and even hurtful to Job.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 2:13, with its poignant depiction of silent, empathetic presence in the face of overwhelming suffering, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job's friends, in their initial compassion, offered a glimpse of true solidarity, their later actions revealed the limitations of human empathy and wisdom. Christ, however, is the perfect embodiment of this silent, suffering presence. He is the "Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows")), who not only witnessed suffering but fully entered into it, ultimately bearing the grief of humanity on the cross. Just as Job's friends sat on the ground in solidarity, Jesus humbled himself, taking on human flesh to dwell among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), experiencing the full spectrum of human pain and sorrow. His tears at Lazarus's tomb ([John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")) demonstrate a profound empathy that weeps with those who weep, not merely observing but participating in their anguish. Moreover, Christ's own silence before his accusers ([Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before His Accusers")) echoes the friends' initial speechless awe, revealing a depth of suffering that defies human explanation. Ultimately, Jesus is our High Priest who can "sympathize with our weaknesses" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")), offering not just words of comfort, but a divine presence that has fully entered into and conquered the very grief that overwhelmed Job.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.