Job 9:1-10

1 Then Iyov responded:

2 "Indeed, I know that this is so; but how can a human win a case against God?

3 Whoever might want to argue with him could not answer him one [question] in a thousand.

4 His heart is so wise, his strength so great -who can resist him and succeed?

5 "He moves the mountains, although they don't know it, when he overturns them in his anger.

6 He shakes the earth from its place; its supporting pillars tremble.

7 He commands the sun, and it fails to rise; he shuts up the stars under his seal.

8 He alone spreads out the sky and walks on the waves in the sea.

9 He made the Great Bear, Orion, the Pleiades and the hidden constellations of the south.

10 He does great, unsearchable things, wonders beyond counting.

Job 9:1-10 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.