Job 9:14-20

14 How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him?

15 For even if I were right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.

16 If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would listen to my voice.

17 For He would crush me with a tempest and multiply my wounds without cause.

18 He does not let me catch my breath, but overwhelms me with bitterness.

19 If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him ^[a]?

20 Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty. ^[b]

Job 9:14-20 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

• [a] See LXX; Hebrew me
• [b] Or He would declare me guilty