Job 9:13-23

13 And God does not restrain his anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet.
14 “So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him?
15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy.
16 And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me.
17 For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause.
18 He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.
19 If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.
21 “I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me— I despise my life.
22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
23 When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the innocent.

Job 9:13-23 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 4

  • [a]. Hebrew the helpers of Rahab, the name of a mythical sea monster that represents chaos in ancient literature.
  • [b]. As in Greek version; Hebrew reads me.
  • [c]. Or he.
  • [d]. Or disaster.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.