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.

The scene Job unfolds with his friends is quite dramatic and gripping. Picture this: After hearing of Job’s immense suffering—losses beyond what any of us might imagine—his friends come to show solidarity, but instead of rushing to offer words of comfort, they sit in silence for seven full days. Why seven? In Biblical tradition, the number seven often symbolizes completion or wholeness. It’s as if their silence honors the depth of Job's grief, inviting a deeper reflection rather than mere chatter.

Interestingly, these friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—hurry to console Job but find their own worldview challenged throughout the story. This is a stark contrast to our contemporary culture where people may feel pressured to fill silence with platitudes. In fact, this period could be reminiscent of the ancient customs where the act of sitting together in mourning, or "shiva," becomes a shared experience of sorrow, underscoring community support.

It’s also intriguing to note how this seven-day vigil echoes the creation narrative in Genesis, suggesting that through inaction and reflection, one can encounter profound revelations. The boyishly curious might wonder if Jesus’ parables, ones that often emphasize the will of God under duress and suffering, are lighted both by Job's grim circumstances and eventual triumph over despair. Sharing quiet company against life’s trials is as precious and profound as those carefully chosen words we stress to muster. The Book of Job thus invites contemplation and, indeed, pausing can often be the most profound presence one can offer to a friend in need.