Job 9:12-15

12 If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
13 God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.
14 “How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him?
15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.

Job 9:12-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 9

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to Bildad, and in this he asserts the strict justice at God; which is such, that no man can be just in his sight, not being able to answer to one charge, or for one sin, of a thousand he is guilty of, Job 9:1-3; and that such are his wisdom and power, that the most daring man cannot expect to succeed in an opposition to him, Job 9:4; instances are given of his power in the works of nature and providence, Job 9:5-10; notice is taken of the imperceptibleness of his actions and motions, and of his sovereignty in all his ways, Job 9:11,12; and of his fierce wrath and anger, which is such as obliges the proudest of men to stoop under him; and therefore Job chose not to contend in a judicial way with him, but in a suppliant manner would entreat him, since his hand was so heavy upon him, Job 9:13-21; he affirms, in direct opposition to Bildad and his friends, and insists upon it, that God afflicts both the righteous and the wicked; yea, gives the earth to the latter when he slays the former, Job 9:22-24; he then observes the shortness of his days, and complains of his heavy afflictions, Job 9:25-28; and concludes, that it was in vain for him to expect his cause to be heard before God, there being no daysman between them; and wishes that the dread of the Divine Majesty might be taken from him, and then he would freely and without fear speak unto him, Job 9:29-35.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Numbers 23:20; Job 11:10; Isaiah 14:27; Isaiah 43:13
  • 2. S ver 3; S Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9; Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:32; Romans 9:20
  • 3. Numbers 14:18; Job 10:15; Psalms 78:38; Isaiah 3:11; Isaiah 6:5; Isaiah 48:9
  • 4. Job 26:12; Psalms 87:4; Psalms 89:10; Isaiah 30:7; Isaiah 51:9
  • 5. S ver 3
  • 6. Job 10:15; Job 13:19; Job 34:5-6; Job 40:5; Job 42:7
  • 7. Job 8:5
  • 8. S Genesis 18:25; 1 Samuel 24:12; Psalms 50:6; Psalms 96:13
  • 9. ver 20,29; Job 15:6; Job 23:4; Job 40:2
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