Job 23:5-15

5 I would learn how^[a] He would answer me; and understand what He would say to me.

6 Would He prosecute me forcefully? No, He will certainly pay attention to me.^[b]

7 There an upright man could reason with Him, and I would escape from my Judge^[c] forever.

8 If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him.^[d]

9 When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him.

10 Yet He knows the way I have taken;^[e] when He has tested me,^[f] I will emerge as pure gold.

11 My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside.^[g]

12 I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured^[h] the words of His mouth more than my daily food.^[i]

13 But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.^[j]

14 He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind.^[k][l]

15 Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider [this], I am afraid of Him.

Job 23:5-15 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit the words
• [b]. Jb 4:18; 10:2
• [c]. Gn 18:25; Isa 33:22; Jr 11:20
• [d]. Ps 139:7-10
• [e]. Lit way with me
• [f]. Ps 1:6; 7:9; 11:5
• [g]. Jb 17:9; Ps 17:5; 37:31
• [h]. LXX, Vg read treasured in my bosom
• [i]. Jb 10:13; 17:4; Ps 119:11
• [j]. Ps 33:11; Isa 14:27; Dn 4:35
• [k]. Lit these with Him
• [l]. Jr 33:3