Job 9:19-29

19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him[a] ?
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.
21 “Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.
22 It is all the same; that is why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
23 When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent.
24 When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?
25 “My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy.
26 They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey.
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’
28 I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent.
29 Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?

Job 9:19-29 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 21

  • 1. S ver 4; S Nehemiah 9:32
  • 2. ver 33; Jeremiah 49:19
  • 3. S ver 15
  • 4. S Genesis 6:9; Job 34:6,7; Job 1:1
  • 5. ver 14; S Job 6:29; Job 10:1; Job 13:13
  • 6. S Numbers 11:15; S Job 7:16
  • 7. S Job 3:19; Job 10:8; Ecclesiastes 9:2,3; Ezekiel 21:3
  • 8. Hebrews 11:36
  • 9. Job 24:1,12; Psalms 64:4; Habakkuk 1:3; 1 Peter 1:7
  • 10. Job 1:15,17; Job 10:3; Job 16:11; Job 21:16; Job 22:18; Job 27:2; Job 40:8; Psalms 73:3
  • 11. S Job 3:14; Job 12:6; Job 19:7; Job 21:7; Job 24:23; Job 31:35; Job 35:15; Psalms 73:12; Ecclesiastes 8:11; Jeremiah 12:1; Lamentations 3:9
  • 12. Job 12:9; Job 13:1; Job 24:12; Isaiah 41:20
  • 13. S Job 7:6
  • 14. Job 7:7; Job 10:20
  • 15. Job 24:18; Psalms 46:3
  • 16. Isaiah 18:2
  • 17. Job 39:29; Habakkuk 1:8
  • 18. S Job 7:11
  • 19. S Job 3:25; Psalms 119:120
  • 20. S Exodus 34:7; S Job 7:21
  • 21. S ver 3,S 15; Psalms 37:33

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. See Septuagint; Hebrew "me."
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