Job 32 · Verse 20

Job 32:20

I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
Job 32:20, King James Version

Job 32:20 in other translations

BSBI must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
WEBI will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.
ASVI will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.
YLTI speak, and there is refreshment to me, I open my lips and answer.
DARBYI will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
BBELet me say what is in my mind, so that I may get comfort; let me give answer with open mouth.
WebsterI will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

What does Job 32:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
20. refreshed--literally, "that there may be air to me" (1Sa 16:23).

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 I will open my lips and answer - In the preceding verse Elihu compares himself to a skin-bottle, in which the wine was in a state of fermentation, and the bottle ready to burst for want of vent. He carries on the metaphor in this verse: the bottle must be opened to save it from bursting; I will Open my mouth.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 32:15-22

If we are sure that the Spirit of God suggested what we are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to our turn to speak. God is the God of order, not of confusion. It is great refreshment to a good man, to speak for the glory of the Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the majesty of God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or…

Read the full comment on Job 32:15-22 →

Job 32:20 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.

אֲדַבְּרָ֥ה'a.da.be.Rahlet me speakH1696
וְיִֽרְוַֽח\־ve.yir.vach-and it may be relievedH7304
לִ֑יLito me
אֶפְתַּ֖ח'ef.Tachlet me openH6605
שְׂפָתַ֣יse.fa.Tailips myH8193
וְאֶֽעֱנֶֽה\׃ve.'E.'e.Nehso I may answerH6030

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

Cross references for Job 32:20

  • Job 21:3

    Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

  • Job 20:2

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

  • Job 13:19

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

  • Proverbs 8:6-7

    Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

  • Job 13:13

    Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I will speak.
13:13,19; 20:2; 21:3
be refreshed. Heb. breathe. I will open.
Pr 8:6,7

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

Context

  • Job 32:19

    Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

  • Job 32:20

    I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

  • Job 32:21

    Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

Read all of Job 32

Job 32:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Hablaré pues y respiraré; abriré mis labios, y responderé.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je parlerai et je respirerai; j’ouvrirai mes lèvres et je répondrai;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich will reden, daß mir Luft werde, will meine Lippen auftun und antworten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Loquar, et respirabo paululum: aperiam labia mea, et respondebo.