Then they sat on the ground with himIn ancient Near Eastern culture, sitting on the ground was a sign of mourning and solidarity. Job's friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, demonstrate empathy by physically lowering themselves to Job's level, sharing in his grief. This act reflects the cultural practice of mourning alongside those who suffer, as seen in other biblical accounts such as in
Lamentations 2:10, where elders sit on the ground in silence.
for seven days and seven nights,
The period of seven days and nights is significant in biblical terms, often representing completeness or perfection. This mirrors the mourning period for the dead, as seen inGenesis 50:10, where Joseph mourns his father Jacob for seven days. The duration underscores the depth of Job's suffering and the commitment of his friends to be present with him during this time.
but no one spoke a word to him
Silence in the face of suffering can be a profound form of support, acknowledging the depth of pain that words cannot address. This silence is reminiscent of the wisdom found inEcclesiastes 3:7, which states there is "a time to be silent and a time to speak." The friends' initial silence contrasts with their later speeches, which become critical and accusatory.
because they saw how intense his suffering was.
The friends' silence is motivated by the visible intensity of Job's suffering. This acknowledges the reality of Job's condition, which is described in detail inJob 2:7-8, where he is afflicted with painful sores. The friends' initial response is appropriate, recognizing the gravity of Job's situation. This moment foreshadows the later dialogues where their understanding of his suffering becomes a point of contention.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing immense suffering and loss.
2.
Job's FriendsEliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They come to comfort Job in his time of distress.
3.
The Land of UzThe setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.
4.
Seven Days and Seven NightsA period of mourning and silence observed by Job's friends, reflecting the depth of Job's suffering.
5.
Great PainThe intense physical and emotional suffering Job endures, which is acknowledged by his friends through their silence.
Teaching Points
The Ministry of PresenceSometimes, the best way to support someone in pain is simply to be present. Job's friends initially demonstrate this by sitting with him in silence.
Understanding the Depth of SufferingRecognizing the magnitude of someone's suffering can guide our responses. Job's friends saw his great pain and chose silence over words.
Cultural Practices of MourningThe seven-day period reflects a cultural understanding of mourning, which can inform how we approach grief in our own contexts.
The Power of SilenceSilence can be a powerful tool in comforting others, allowing space for the grieving person to process their emotions without pressure to respond.
Empathy in ActionTrue empathy involves entering into the suffering of others, as Job's friends did by sitting with him for an extended period.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 2:13?
2.How can we support others by "sitting in silence" during their suffering?
3.What does Job 2:13 teach about the ministry of presence in trials?
4.How does Job 2:13 connect with Romans 12:15 on mourning with others?
5.In what ways can we practice empathy like Job's friends initially did?
6.How can we discern when words are unnecessary in comforting the grieving?
7.Why did Job's friends sit in silence for seven days and nights in Job 2:13?
8.What does the silence of Job's friends signify about their understanding of his suffering?
9.How does Job 2:13 reflect the theme of empathy in the face of suffering?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 2?
11.Why did Job's three friends visit him?
12.In Job 6:2–3, does the claim that Job’s grief outweighs the sand of the seas present a literal impossibility or exaggerated metaphor?
13.Does the despair expressed in Job 3 contradict later biblical accounts (e.g., James 5:11) that describe Job as patient and steadfast?
14.Should we empathize with those who are grieving?What Does Job 2:13 Mean
Then they sat on the ground with him• Job’s three friends did not perch on stools or stay at a polite distance—they “sat on the ground,” sharing the low place of ash and dust (Job 2:8).
• This posture signaled humility and solidarity (cf.Ezra 9:3;Lamentations 2:10).
• By coming down to Job’s level they practiced the principle later echoed inRomans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
for seven days and seven nights• A full week of silent presence reflects the customary period of mourning (Genesis 50:10;1 Samuel 31:13).
• The number seven often marks completeness in Scripture (Genesis 2:2–3;Joshua 6:15), underscoring that their companionship was not token but thorough.
• They literally remained beside him day and night, illustrating endurance in comfort—an early picture ofGalatians 6:2, “Carry one another’s burdens.”
but no one spoke a word to him• Silence can be more compassionate than premature advice (Proverbs 10:19;Ecclesiastes 3:7).
• Their initial silence modelsJames 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.”
• Words withheld here are a sharp contrast to the torrent that will follow in later chapters, reminding us how easily comfort can shift to criticism when we abandon restraint.
because they saw how intense his suffering was• The friends’ silence flowed from genuine empathy; they “saw” rather than assumed (1 Peter 3:8).
• Scripture often links what we see with a call to compassionate response—Luke 10:33, “When he saw him, he had compassion.”
• The verse affirms the reality and depth of Job’s physical and emotional pain, validating the grief of sufferers today (Psalm 38:6–8).
summaryJob 2:13 records a literal, week-long vigil of sympathetic silence. By sitting in the dust, staying the full seven days and nights, withholding speech, and responding to the unmistakable severity of Job’s anguish, the friends initially embody a ministry of presence that Scripture consistently upholds. Their example urges believers to meet the afflicted where they are, linger with them patiently, and speak only when words will truly help.
(13)
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days.--Compare the conduct of David (
2Samuel 12:16), and see also
Genesis 1:10;
1Samuel 31:13;
Ezekiel 3:15. There is a colossal grandeur about this description which is in keeping with the majesty and hoary antiquity of the poem.
Verse 13. -
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights. Professor Lee supposes that this is not to be taken literally. "It means" he says, "that they sat with him a considerable length of time before they opened the question discussed in this book, not that they sat precisely seven days and seven nights, and said not so much as one word to him" ('The Book of the Patriarch Job; p. 194). But the period of" seven days" was appropriate to mournings (
Genesis 1:10 2Samuel 31:13
Ezekiel 3:15), and if they could stay with him one day and one night without speaking, why not seven? Food would be brought them, and they might sleep rolled up in their
begeds. The long silence may be accounted for by the fact that "among the Jews," and among Orientals generally, "it is a point of decorum, and one dictated by a fine and true feeling, not to speak to a person in deep affliction until he gives an intimation of a desire to be comforted" (Cook). So long as Job kept silence they had to keep silence, at least so far as he was concerned. They might speak to any attendants who drew near, and they might speak one to another. Note the words which follow:
And none spake a word unto him None spake
to him; but no etiquette imposed complete silence on them.
For they saw that his grief was very great. So great that he could not as yet bear to be spoken to.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then they satוַיֵּשְׁב֤וּ(way·yê·šə·ḇū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marryon the groundלָאָ֔רֶץ(lā·’ā·reṣ)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landwith himאִתּוֹ֙(’it·tōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, amongfor sevenשִׁבְעַ֥ת(šiḇ·‘aṯ)Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651:Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite numberdaysיָמִ֖ים(yā·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117:A dayand sevenוְשִׁבְעַ֣ת(wə·šiḇ·‘aṯ)Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651:Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite numbernights,לֵיל֑וֹת(lê·lō·wṯ)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3915:A twist, night, adversitybut noוְאֵין־(wə·’ên-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369:A non-entity, a negative particleone spokeדֹּבֵ֤ר(dō·ḇêr)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduea wordדָּבָ֔ר(dā·ḇār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causetoאֵלָיו֙(’ê·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tohim becauseכִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthey sawרָא֔וּ(rā·’ū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200:To seehow intenseמְאֹֽד׃(mə·’ōḏ)Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedilyhis sufferingהַכְּאֵ֖ב(hak·kə·’êḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3511:Suffering, adversityhad become.גָדַ֥ל(ḡā·ḏal)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431:To grow up, become great
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OT Poetry: Job 2:13 So they sat down with him (Jb) 
