Job9
King James Version · Public Domain
1Then Job answered and said,
2I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
3If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
5Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
6Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
8Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
9Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
10Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
11Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
12Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
13If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
14How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
15Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
16If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
17For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
20If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
21Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
25Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
26They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
27If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
28I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
30If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
31Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
32For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
33Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
34Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
35Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Job acknowledges God's justice. (1–13). He is not able to contend with God. (14–21). Men not to be judged by outward condition. (22–24). Job complains of troubles. (25–35).
vv1-13
In this answer Job declared that he did not doubt the justice of God, when he denied himself to be a hypocrite; for how should man be just with God? Before him he pleaded guilty of sins more than could be counted; and if God should contend with him in judgment, he could not justify one out of a thousand, of all the thoughts, words, and actions of his life; therefore he deserved worse than all his present sufferings. When Job mentions the wisdom and power of God, he forgets his complaints. We are unfit to judge of God's proceedings, because we know not what he does, or what he designs. God acts with power which no creature can resist. Those who think they have strength enough to help others, will not be able to help themselves against it.
vv14-21
Job is still righteous in his own eyes, ch. 32:1, and this answer, though it sets forth the power and majesty of God, implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of providence, is a question of might, and not of right; and we begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a self-righteous spirit. Job begins to manifest a disposition to condemn God, that he may justify himself, for which he is afterwards reproved. Still Job knew so much of himself, that he durst not stand a trial. If we say, We have no sin, we not only deceive ourselves, but we affront God; for we sin in saying so, and give the lie to the Scripture. But Job reflected on God's goodness and justice in saying his affliction was without cause.
vv22-24
Job touches briefly upon the main point now in dispute. His friends maintained that those who are righteous and good, always prosper in this world, and that none but the wicked are in misery and distress: he said, on the contrary, that it is a common thing for the wicked to prosper, and the righteous to be greatly afflicted. Yet there is too much passion in what Job here says, for God doth not afflict willingly. When the spirit is heated with dispute or with discontent, we have need to set a watch before our lips.
Key Words
אִיּוֹב: Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience
עָנָה: properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
יָדַע: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
אׇמְנָם: verily
אֱנוֹשׁ: a man in general (singly or collectively)
צָדַק: to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
אֵל: strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
חָפֵץ: properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
רִיב: properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
Cross References
Job 9One Mediator between God and men; directly answers Job's plea for a 'daysman betwixt us'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
No flesh justified by deeds of the law; echoes Job's 'how should man be just with God?'
Supported by JFB
Names the same constellations (seven stars and Orion) as symbols of God's sovereign creative power.
Supported by JFB
If God should mark iniquities, none could stand; parallels man unable to answer God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
In God's sight shall no man living be justified; echoes Job's opening theological dilemma.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God challenges Job directly with the same constellations (Pleiades and Orion) mentioned here.
Supported by JFB
Job repeats verbatim Eliphaz's description of God's unsearchable and marvelous works.
Supported by JFB
He that hardens his neck is destroyed; echoes Job's warning on hardening oneself against God.
Supported by JFB
Jesus walking on the sea exhibits the divine prerogative of treading upon the waves.
Supported by JFB
Woe to him who strives with his Maker or asks 'What makest thou?' as in verse 12.
Supported by JFB
One event happens to the righteous and the wicked, matching Job's claim that He destroys both.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Job complains that he cries out of wrong but is not heard, with no judgment found.
Supported by JFB
Elihu assures Job that his hand will not be heavy, answering Job's fear of God's rod.
Supported by JFB
A man is not justified by the works of the law, answering Job's existential question.
Supported by JFB
Like disciples doubting Peter was at the door, Job wouldn't believe God actually answered him.
Supported by Matthew Poole