Job 21:3 (KJV)

What does Job 21:3 mean?

Job 21:3 shows Job asking his friends to let him speak without interruption, and then, if they want, they can continue to mock or criticize him after he has finished. Job is requesting a fair chance to explain himself before facing more judgment from those around him.

In this verse, Job is speaking directly to his friends in the middle of their ongoing debate about suffering and justice. Job feels misunderstood and unfairly treated, so he asks for patience and respect while he shares his perspective. The verse highlights Job’s desire to be heard fully before his friends respond with more ridicule or accusations.

The Hebrew behind Job 21:3

• "Suffer" (נָשָׂא, nāśā’): This word often means "to bear" or "to allow." Here, it carries the sense of asking his friends to "bear with" him or "permit" him to speak, showing Job’s plea for patience.
• "Speak" (דָּבַר, dāḇar): This common word for "speak" or "declare" emphasizes Job’s wish to present his thoughts clearly and directly.
• "On" (לָעַג, lā‘ag): This word means "to mock" or "to deride." Job acknowledges that his friends may continue to mock him, but only after he has had his say, underlining how he expects their reaction but still values his chance to speak.

Why Job 21:3 matters

• Job 21:3 clarifies that Job is not trying to silence his friends but is asking for a fair hearing before they respond, which shows his sense of justice and desire for honest dialogue.
• The verse highlights the tension in Job’s relationships with his friends, who have been quick to judge and slow to listen, revealing the emotional strain Job is under.
• Understanding this request helps readers see the larger theme of the book: the struggle to be heard and understood in the midst of suffering and misunderstanding.