Job 9:25-35

25 My days pass on more swiftly than a runner; they flee without seeing anything good.
26 They skim by like skiffs built of reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27 "If I say, 'I'll forget my complaining, I'll put off my sad face and be cheerful,'
28 then I'm still afraid of all my pain, and I know you will not hold me innocent.
29 I will be condemned, so why waste my efforts?
30 Even if I washed myself in melted snow and cleansed my hands with lye,
31 you would plunge me into the muddy pit, till my own clothes would detest me.
32 "For he is not merely human like me; there is no answer that I could give him if we were to come together in court.
33 There is no arbitrator between us who could lay his hand on us both.
34 If he would remove his rod from me and not let his terrors frighten me,
35 then I would speak without fear of him; for when I'm alone, I'm not afraid.

Job 9:25-35 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.