The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
The nobles fell completely silent when Job was present, holding back their words out of deference to him. Their tongues clinging to the roofs of their mouths pictured a deliberate, reverent restraint rather than mere absence of speech. This hushed response displayed the high honor in which Job was held by men of rank and influence. The respect shown to him was expressed through listening silence, acknowledging his dignity and moral weight in their midst.
The nobles fell completely silent when Job was present, holding back their words out of deference to him. Their tongues clinging to the roofs of their mouths pictured a deliberate, reverent restraint rather than mere absence of speech. This hushed response displayed the high honor in which Job was held by men of rank and influence. The respect shown to him was expressed through listening silence, acknowledging his dignity and moral weight in their midst.