Job 9:24-34

24 The earth is given into the hands of the wicked; he covereth the face(s) of (the) judges; that if he is not, who therefore is? (and if he did it not, then who did?)

25 My days were swifter than a courier; they fled away, and saw not good.

26 They passed away as [the] ships bearing apples, as an eagle flying to (its) meat (like an eagle flying to its food).

27 When I say, I shall not speak so; I change my face, and I am tormented with sorrow. (If I say, I shall not speak thus; I shall change my face, and shall comfort myself.)

28 I dread all my works, witting that thou sparest not the trespasser. (I fear all that I must suffer, for I know that thou sparest not the trespasser.)

29 And if I am also thus wicked, why have I travailed in vain? (And if I am held to be wicked, then why travail I in vain?)

30 (Even) Though I am washed as with waters of snow, and (even) though mine hands shine as most clean,

31 nevertheless thou shalt dip me in filths, and my clothes shall hold, or show, me abominable.

32 Truly I shall not answer a man, that is like me; neither that may be heard evenly with me in doom. (Truly I shall not be able to answer him, for he is not a man who is like me; nor is he someone who can equally be heard with me in court, or at the judgement.)

33 There is none, that may reprove ever either, and set his hand in both. (There is no one, who can rebuke both of us, or who can put his hand upon both of us.)

34 Do he away his rod from me, and his dread make not me afeared. (Let him take his rod away from me, and let not the fear of him, or his terrors, make me afraid.)

Job 9:24-34 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.