Job 9:13-23

13 God's anger is constant. He crushed his enemies who helped Rahab, the sea monster, oppose him.
14 So how can I find words to answer God?
15 Though I am innocent, all I can do is beg for mercy from God my judge.
16 Yet even then, if he lets me speak, I can't believe he would listen to me.
17 He sends storms to batter and bruise me without any reason at all.
18 He won't let me catch my breath; he has filled my life with bitterness.
19 Should I try force? Try force on God? Should I take him to court? Could anyone make him go?
20 I am innocent and faithful, but my words sound guilty, and everything I say seems to condemn me.
21 I am innocent, but I no longer care. I am sick of living.
22 Nothing matters; innocent or guilty, God will destroy us.
23 When an innocent person suddenly dies, God laughs.

Job 9:13-23 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.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. rahab: [A legendary sea monster which represented the forces of chaos and evil.]
  • [b]. [Probable text] make him go; [Hebrew] make me go.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.