Job 9:4-14

4 His heart is so wise, his strength so great -who can resist him and succeed?
5 "He moves the mountains, although they don't know it, when he overturns them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place; its supporting pillars tremble.
7 He commands the sun, and it fails to rise; he shuts up the stars under his seal.
8 He alone spreads out the sky and walks on the waves in the sea.
9 He made the Great Bear, Orion, the Pleiades and the hidden constellations of the south.
10 He does great, unsearchable things, wonders beyond counting.
11 He can go right by me, and I don't see him; he moves past without my being aware of him.
12 If he kills [people], who will ask why? Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?'
13 God will not withdraw his anger -even Rahav's supporters submit to him.
14 "How much less can I answer him and select my arguments against him!

Job 9:4-14 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.