Job 23:8-17

8 "If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;

9 on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.

10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold.

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

12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.

13 But he stands alone and who can dissuade him? What he desires, that he does.

14 For he will complete what he appoints for me; and many such things are in his mind

15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.

16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;

17 If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!

Job 23:8-17 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]. Syr Vg: Heb [he turns]
• [b]. Gk Vg: Heb [from]
• [c]. Traditional rendering of Heb [Shaddai]
• [d]. Or [But I am not destroyed by the darkness; he has concealed the thick darkness from me]