Job 23:5

5 know the words with which he would answer, understand what he would say to me.

Job 23:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 23:5

I would know the words [which] he would answer me
Being a God hearing and answering prayer, who always hears, and sooner or later answers the petitions of his people in his own way; and which when he does, they know, take notice, and observe it: or then he should know the reason why the Lord contended with him, and what were his sins and transgressions, which were the cause of his afflictions; things he had desired to know, but as yet had no answer, see ( Job 10:2 ) ( Job 13:22 Job 13:23 ) ;

and understand what he would say unto me;
what judgment he would pass upon him, what sentence he would pronounce on him, whether guilty or not, and by which judgment he was content to stand or fall; as for men's judgment, the judgment of his friends, or to be judged by them, he required it not, as he did not understand upon what ground they went, or that it was a good one; but the judgment of God he should pay a deference to, as being always according to truth, and the reason of which, when he should have a hearing before him, and a decisive sentence by him, he should clearly perceive; see ( 1 Corinthians 4:3 ) .

Job 23:5 In-Context

3 Oh, that I could know how to find him— come to his dwelling place;

4 I would lay out my case before him, fill my mouth with arguments,

5 know the words with which he would answer, understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he contend with me through brute force? No, he would surely listen to me.

7 There those who do the right thing can argue with him; I could escape from my judge forever.