The answer is: Seven days

Job 2:13 - Seven days was the usual time of mourning. Perhaps they joined him in this period, not that they stayed in one posture for the entire seven days.

When Job’s friends showed up, they engaged in an ancient practice steeped in meaning—the art of sitting shiva, which is typically associated with Jewish mourning rituals. For seven long days, they sat in silence, a powerful expression of empathy. It's fascinating to note just how significant the number seven is throughout the Bible. It appears in various contexts: the seven days of creation, the seven seals in Revelation, and even the seven churches. In many cultures, the number is seen as embodying completeness or perfection, making their week-long vigil even more poignant.

It’s important to consider what was unsaid in those days. Silence is often heavy with unvoiced questions and shared grief, a type of companionship that runs deeper than mere words ever could. It’s reflective of a faith that allows for mourning without immediate explanations or reasons—highlighting humanistic values of relationships and community support.

Their actions might remind you of other biblical figures. Consider how David mourned the death of Saul and Jonathan, sitting estranged from others in solitude at times, yet deeply sorrowing with intent acknowledgment of loss. And here, just like David’s mountain-like grief, Job’s despair draws out the best intentions from his friends, even if it ends up spiraling into less-than-helpful philosophy later.

This scene delicately unfolds layers of human emotions, and through it all, slots into the larger narrative of embracing suffering—showing control without an immediate need for answers. Sometimes, just being there is enough.