Job9
New American Standard
1Then Job responded,
2“In truth I know that this is so; But how can a person be in the right with God?
3If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.
4Wise in heart and mighty in strength, Who has defied Him without harm?
5It is God who removes the mountains, and they do not know how, When He overturns them in His anger.
6It is He who shakes the earth from its place, And its pillars tremble;
7Who commands the sun not to shine, And puts a seal on the stars;
8Who alone stretches out the heavens, And tramples down the waves of the sea;
9Who makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the constellations of the south.
10It is He who does great things, the unfathomable, And wondrous works without number.
11If He were to pass by me, I would not see Him; Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him.
12If He were to snatch away, who could restrain Him? Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
13“God will not turn back His anger; Beneath Him the helpers of Rahab cower.
14How then can I answer Him, And choose my words before Him?
15For though I were right, I could not answer; I would have to implore the mercy of my Judge.
16If I called and He answered me, I could not believe that He was listening to my voice.
17For He bruises me with a storm And multiplies my wounds without cause.
18He will not allow me to get my breath, But He saturates me with bitterness.
19If it is a matter of power, behold, He is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?
20Though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me; Though I am guiltless, He will declare me guilty.
21I am guiltless; I do not take notice of myself; I reject my life.
22It is all one; therefore I say, ‘He destroys the guiltless and the wicked.’
23If the whip kills suddenly, He mocks the despair of the innocent.
24The earth is handed over to the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?
25“Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away, they see no good.
26They slip by like reed boats, Like an eagle that swoops on its prey.
27Though I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put my face in order and be cheerful,’
28I am afraid of all my pains, I know that You will not acquit me.
29I am guilty, Why then should I struggle in vain?
30If I washed myself with snow, And cleansed my hands with lye,
31Then You would plunge me into the pit, And my own clothes would loathe me.
32For He is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him— That we may go to court together!
33There is no arbitrator between us, Who can place his hand upon us both.
34Let Him remove His rod from me, And let not the dread of Him terrify me.
35Then I would speak and not fear Him; But I am not like that in myself.
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