Job 23:3-13

3 {O that} I knew and [that] I might find him; [O that] I might come to his dwelling.

4 I would lay [my] case {before him}, and I would fill my mouth [with] arguments

5 I want to know [the] words [with which] he would answer me, and I want to understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he contend with me in [the] greatness of [his] strength? No, but he himself would give heed to me.

7 There an upright person could reason with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 "When I go forward, {he is not there}, or backward, I cannot see him.

9 {When he works} [on the] left, {I cannot perceive} [him]; he turns to [the] right, but I cannot see [him].

10 But he knows {the way that I take}; he tests me--I shall come out like gold.

11 My foot has held on to his steps; I have kept his way, and I have not turned aside.

12 [From] the commandment of his lips, indeed I have not departed; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily food.

13 "But he [is] {alone}, and who can dissuade him? And {whatever he desires}, {indeed}, he does [it].

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Job 23:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 23

This and the following chapter contain Job's reply to the last oration of Eliphaz; in this he first declares his present sorrowful estate and condition, Job 23:1,2; wishes he knew where to find God, as a judge sitting on a throne, before whom he might lay his cause, and plead it, and have his judgment and final decision passed upon it; when he doubted not but he would deal favourably with him, and both admit him and strengthen him, to plead his own cause, and would acquit him for ever from the charges laid against him, Job 23:3-7; in order to which he sought for him everywhere, but could not find him, but contents himself with this, that God knew his way; and that, after trial of him, he should shine like pure gold, and appear to be no apostate from him, but one sincerely obedient to his commands, and a true lover of his word, Job 23:8-12; and as for his afflictions, they were the result of the unalterable purposes and appointments of God: but what gave him the greatest uneasiness was, that there were more of that sort yet to come, which filled him with fears and faintings, with trouble and darkness, Job 23:13-17.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 15

[a]. Literally "Who shall give"
[b]. Literally "to his face"
[c]. Emphatic personal pronoun
[d]. Literally "and there is not he," or "and he is not"
[e]. Hebrew "and"
[f]. Hebrew "and I cannot see him"
[g]. Literally "At his working"
[h]. Literally "and I cannot see"
[i]. Hebrew "and"
[j]. Literally "way with me"
[k]. Hebrew "and"
[l]. Hebrew "And"
[m]. Literally "as one"
[n]. Literally "his inner self desires," or "his soul desires"
[o]. Hebrew "and"