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Job 13 likely alludes to a common proverb also found in Proverbs 17, suggesting that silence may reflect wisdom even in a fool. By invoking this saying, Job positions himself within an established wisdom tradition, using its authority to critique his opponents.
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Proverbs 17:28
Hebrew Bible
26 It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong. 27 The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning. 28 Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Job 13:5
Hebrew Bible
3 But I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. 4 But you, however, smear with lies10; all of you are worthless physicians! 5 If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom. 6 Listen now to my argument, and be attentive to my lips’ contentions.
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Apparently, it was a ploy among ‘philosophers’ to attempt to silence their opponents by irrefutable reasoning, as Elihu does in Job 33:31-33 ... Job for his part keeps his end up too. He is only prepared to keep his mouth if his friends come up with cogent arguments (Job 6:24; 13:19). It is commonly assumed that in Job 13:5 he quotes a proverb like Proverbs 17:28 to silence his friends whose words he regards as folly ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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