Job 9:2-12

2 I know of a truth that it is so: for how shall a mortal man be just before the Lord?

3 For if he would enter into judgment with him, would not hearken to him, so that he should answer to one of his charges of a thousand.

4 For he is wise in mind, and mighty, and great: who has hardened himself against him and endured?

5 Who wears out the mountains, and know it not: who overturns them in anger.

6 Who shakes the under heaven from its foundations, and its pillars totter.

7 Who commands the sun, and it rises not; and he seals up the stars.

8 Who alone has stretched out the heavens, and walks on the sea as on firm ground.

9 Who makes Pleias, and Hesperus, and Arcturus, and the chambers of the south.

10 Who does great and unsearchable things; glorious also and excellent things, innumerable.

11 If ever he should go beyond me, I shall not see him: if he should pass by me, neither thus have I known .

12 If he would take away, who shall turn him back? or who shall say to him, What hast thou done?

Job 9:2-12 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.