Job 16:19

19 (16-20) For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.

Job 16:19 Meaning and Commentary

Job 16:19

Also now, behold, my witness [is] in heaven
That is, God, who dwells in the heavens, where his throne is, and which is the habitation of his holiness, and from whence he beholds all the sons of men, and their actions, is the all seeing and all knowing Being; and therefore Job appeals to him as his witness, if he was guilty of the things laid to his charge, to bear witness against him, but if not to be a witness for him, which he believed he would, and desired he might:

for my record [is] on high;
or "my testimony"; that can testify for me; who is an "eyewitness" F11, as some render it, before whom all things are naked and open; who has seen all my actions, even the very inmost recesses of my mind, all the thoughts of my heart, and all the principles of my actions, and him I desire to bear record of me; such appeals are lawful in some cases, which ought not to be common and trivial ones, but of moment and importance, and which cannot well be determined in any other way; such as was the charge of hypocrisy against Job, and suspicions of his having been guilty of some notorious crime, though it could not be pointed at and proved; see ( 1 Samuel 12:3 1 Samuel 12:4 ) ( 2 Corinthians 1:13 ) ( Philippians 1:8 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (ydhv) "oculatus meus testis", Schultens.

Job 16:19 In-Context

17 (16-18) These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.
18 (16-19) O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee.
19 (16-20) For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.
20 (16-21) My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God.
21 (16-22) And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion!
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