Refrained talking; either fearing that I should discern their weakness by their words; or desiring to hear my words and sentence, which they readily approved of, and fully assented to. Such an opinion had they of my wisdom, and did not think me such a foolish, erroneous, and impertinent person as you fancy or represent me to be. Laid their hand on their mouth, in token both of their wonder at Job's wise speeches and sentences, and of their resolution to be silent. See Job 21:5 Proverbs 30:32.
Related Commentaries of Job 29:9
Job 29:9
9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.