Job 20 · Verse 2

Job 20:2

Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.
Job 20:2, King James Version

Job 20:2 in other translations

BSB“So my anxious thoughts compel me to answer, because of the turmoil within me.
WEB“Therefore my thoughts answer me, even by reason of my haste that is in me.
ASVTherefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.
YLTTherefore my thoughts cause me to answer, And because of my sensations in me.
DARBYTherefore do my thoughts give me an answer, and for this is my haste within me.
BBEFor this cause my thoughts are troubling me and driving me on.
WebsterTherefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.

What does Job 20:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
SECOND SERIES.

Job 20:1-29. Reply of Zophar.

2. Therefore--Rather, the more excited I feel by Job's speech, the more for that very reason shall my reply be supplied by my calm consideration. Literally, "Notwithstanding; my calm thoughts (as in Job 4:13) shall furnish my answer, because of the excitement (haste) within me" [Umbreit].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Therefore do my thoughts - It has already been observed that Zophar was the most inveterate of all Job's enemies, for we really must cease to call them friends. He sets no bounds to his invective, and outrages every rule of charity. A man of such a bitter spirit must have been, in general, very unhappy. With him Job is, by insinuation, every thing that is base, vile, and hypocritical. Mr. Good translates this verse thus: "Whither would my tumult transport me? And how far my agitation within me?" This is all the modesty that appears in Zophar's discourse. He acknowledges that he is pressed by the impetuosity of his spirit to reply to Job's self-vindication. The original is variously translated, but the sense is as above. For this I make haste - ובעבור חושי בי ubaabur chushi bi, there is sensibility in me, and my feelings provoke me to reply.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 20:1-9

Zophar's discourse is upon the certain misery of the wicked. The triumph of the wicked and the joy of the hypocrite are fleeting. The pleasures and gains of sin bring disease and pain; they end in remorse, anguish, and ruin. Dissembled piety is double iniquity, and the ruin that attends it will be accordingly.

Read the full comment on Job 20:1-9 →

Job 20:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

לָ֭כֵןLa.khen<to> thereforeH3651
שְׂעִפַּ֣יse.'i.Paidisquieting thoughts myH5587
יְשִׁיב֑וּנִיye.shi.Vu.nithey make respond meH7725
וּ֝בַעֲב֗וּרu.va.'a.Vurand in orderH5668
ח֣וּשִׁיChu.shito agitate IH2363
בִֽי\׃Viin me

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 20:2

  • Psalms 31:22

    For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

  • Proverbs 14:29

    He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

  • Jeremiah 20:9

    Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

  • James 1:19

    Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  • Psalms 39:2-3

    I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

  • Proverbs 29:20

    Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

  • Job 32:13-20

    Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) …

  • Job 4:2

    If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

  • Ecclesiastes 7:9

    Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

  • Psalms 116:11

    I said in my haste, All men are liars.

  • Job 13:19

    Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.

  • Job 20:3

    I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
my thoughts.
3; 4:2; 13:19; 32:13-20; Ps 39:2,3; Jer 20:9; Ro 10:2
and for.
Ps 31:22; 116:11; Pr 14:29; 29:20; Ec 7:9; Mr 6:25; Jas 1:19
I make haste. Heb. my haste is in me.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 20:1

    Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

  • Job 20:2

    Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.

  • Job 20:3

    I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

Read all of Job 20

Job 20:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Por cierto mis pensamientos me hacen responder, y por tanto me apresuro.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		C’est pourquoi mes pensées m’inspirent une réponse, et à cause de ceci l’ardeur de mon esprit agit en moi:
German
Elberfelder 1871		Darum geben meine Gedanken mir Antwort, und deswegen bin ich innerlich erregt:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Idcirco cogitationes meæ variæ succedunt sibi, et mens in diversa rapitur.