Job 20 · Verse 3

Job 20:3

I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
Job 20:3, King James Version

Job 20:3 in other translations

BSBI have heard a rebuke that insults me, and my understanding prompts a reply.
WEBI have heard the reproof which puts me to shame. The spirit of my understanding answers me.
ASVI have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me.
YLTThe chastisement of my shame I hear, And the spirit of mine understanding Doth cause me to answer:
DARBYI hear a reproof putting me to shame; and my spirit answereth me by mine understanding.
BBEI have to give ear to arguments which put me to shame, and your answers to me are wind without wisdom.
WebsterI have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

What does Job 20:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. check of my reproach--that is, the castigation intended as a reproach (literally, "shame") to me. spirit of ... understanding--my rational spirit; answering to "calm thoughts" (Job 20:2). In spite of thy reproach urging me to "hastiness." I will answer in calm reason.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 I have heard the check of my reproach - Some suppose that Zophar quotes the words of Job, and that some words should be supplied to indicate this meaning; e.g., "I have heard (sayest thou) the check or charge of my reproach?" Or it may refer to what Job says of Zophar and his companions, Job 19:2, Job 19:3 : How long will ye vex may soul - these ten times have ye reproached me. Zophar therefore assumes his old ground, and retracts nothing of what he had said. Like many of his own complexion in the present day, he was determined to believe that his judgment was infallible, and that he could not err.

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 20:3 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.

מוּסַ֣רmu.Sar[the] correction ofH4148
כְּלִמָּתִ֣יke.li.ma.Tiinsult myH3639
אֶשְׁמָ֑ע'esh.Ma'I have heardH8085
וְ֝ר֗וּחַve.Ru.achand a spiritH7307
מִֽבִּינָתִ֥יmi.bi.na.Tifrom understanding myH998
יַעֲנֵֽנִי\׃ya.'a.Ne.niit answers meH6030

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

Cross references for Job 20:3

  • Job 33:3

    My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

  • Job 19:29

    Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.

  • Job 20:2

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

  • Psalms 49:3

    My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

  • Job 19:3

    These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.

  • Psalms 78:2-5

    I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

  • Job 27:11

    I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the check.
19:29
the spirit.
2; 27:11; 33:3; Ps 49:3; 78:2-5

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Job 20:4

    Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

Read all of Job 20

Job 20:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		La reprensión de mi censura he oído, y háceme responder el espíritu de mi inteligencia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		J’entends une réprimande qui me couvre de honte, et mon esprit me répond par mon intelligence.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Eine Zurechtweisung, mir zur Schande, höre ich; aber mein Geist antwortet mir aus meiner Einsicht.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Doctrinam qua me arguis audiam, et spiritus intelligentiæ meæ respondebit mihi.