Job 9:11-21

11 If he cometh to me, I shall not see him; if he goeth away from me, I shall not understand (I shall not know it).
12 If he asketh suddenly (If he suddenly asketh), who shall answer to him? either who may say to him, Why doest thou so?
13 He is God, whose wrath no man may withstand; and under whom they be bowed, that bear the world (who carry the world).
14 How great am I, that I answer to him, and speak by my words with him? (How great am I, that I answer him, and say my words to him?)
15 Which also (I) shall not answer to him, though I have anything just; but I shall beseech my judge to spare me. (Which even though I am just, I shall not answer him; but I shall still beseech my judge to spare me.)
16 And (even) when he hath heard me inwardly calling him, I believe not, that he hath heard my voice.
17 For in a whirlwind he shall all-break me, and he shall multiply my wounds, yea, without cause. (For he shall all-break me with a whirlwind, and he shall multiply my wounds, yea, for no reason.)
18 He granteth not, that my spirit have rest (He granteth not, that I catch my breath), and he filleth me with bitternesses.
19 If strength is sought, he is most strong; and if equity of doom is sought, no man dare yield witnessing for me (and if justice is sought, no one shall dare give testimony for me).
20 If I will make me just, my own mouth shall condemn me; if I shall show me innocent, he shall prove me a shrew. (If I will declare myself just, or right, my own mouth shall condemn me; if I shall declare myself innocent, it shall prove me a depraved man.)
21 Yea, though I be simple, my soul shall not know this same thing; and it shall annoy me of my life. (Yea, though I be without guile, I shall not know it; and my life shall vex my soul.)

Job 9:11-21 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.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.