Job 9:22-32

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?
30 Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder,
31 you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me.
32 “He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.

Job 9:22-32 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 23

  • 1. S Job 3:19; Job 10:8; Ecclesiastes 9:2,3; Ezekiel 21:3
  • 2. Hebrews 11:36
  • 3. Job 24:1,12; Psalms 64:4; Habakkuk 1:3; 1 Peter 1:7
  • 4. 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
  • 5. 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
  • 6. Job 12:9; Job 13:1; Job 24:12; Isaiah 41:20
  • 7. S Job 7:6
  • 8. Job 7:7; Job 10:20
  • 9. Job 24:18; Psalms 46:3
  • 10. Isaiah 18:2
  • 11. Job 39:29; Habakkuk 1:8
  • 12. S Job 7:11
  • 13. S Job 3:25; Psalms 119:120
  • 14. S Exodus 34:7; S Job 7:21
  • 15. S ver 3,S 15; Psalms 37:33
  • 16. Malachi 3:2
  • 17. Job 17:9; Job 31:7; Isaiah 1:15
  • 18. Job 14:4,17; Job 33:9; Isaiah 1:18; Jeremiah 2:22; Hosea 13:12
  • 19. Psalms 35:7; Psalms 40:2; Psalms 51:9; Jeremiah 2:22; Nahum 3:6; Malachi 2:3
  • 20. S Job 7:20; Job 34:9; Job 35:3; Psalms 73:13
  • 21. S Numbers 23:19
  • 22. S ver 3; Romans 9:20
  • 23. Psalms 143:2; Ecclesiastes 6:10
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