Job 9:23-33

23 When disaster brings sudden death, he mocks at the calamity of the innocent.

24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges--if it is not he, who then is it?

25 "My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good.

26 They go by like skiffs of reed, like an eagle swooping on the prey.

27 If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer,'

28 I become afraid of all my suffering, for I know thou wilt not hold me innocent.

29 I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain?

30 If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,

31 yet thou wilt plunge me into a pit, and my own clothes will abhor me.

32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together.

33 There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both.

Job 9:23-33 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.