Job 9:12-22

12 Behold, he taketh away: who will hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?

13 God withdraweth not his anger; the proud helpers stoop under him:

14 How much less shall I answer him, choose out my words [to strive] with him?

15 Whom, though I were righteous, [yet] would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge.

16 If I had called, and he had answered me, I would not believe that he hearkened to my voice, --

17 He, who crusheth me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

18 He suffereth me not to take my breath, for he filleth me with bitternesses.

19 Be it a question of strength, lo, [he is] strong; and be it of judgment, who will set me a time?

20 If I justified myself, mine own mouth would condemn me; were I perfect, he would prove me perverse.

21 Were I perfect, [yet] would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

22 It is all one; therefore I said, he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

Job 9:12-22 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] Lit. 'helpers of Rahab:' see ch. 26.12.