Job 9:11-16

11 Behold, he passes by me, and I 1see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
12 Behold, he snatches away; 2who can turn him back? 3Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?'
13 "God will not turn back his anger; beneath him bowed the helpers of 4Rahab.
14 5How then can I 6answer him, choosing my words with him?
15 7Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him; I must 8appeal for mercy to my accuser.[a]
16 If I summoned him and he answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.

Job 9:11-16 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.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Job 23:8, 9
  • 2. Job 11:10; Job 23:13
  • 3. Isaiah 45:9; [Jeremiah 18:6; Romans 9:20]
  • 4. Job 26:12; Psalms 40:4; Psalms 82:4; Psalms 89:10; Isaiah 30:7; Isaiah 51:9
  • 5. Job 15:16
  • 6. ver. 3
  • 7. Job 10:15
  • 8. Job 8:5

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.