Job 16:19

19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.

Job 16:19 in Other Translations

KJV
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
ESV
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high.
NLT
19 Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high.
MSG
19 There must be Someone in heaven who knows the truth about me, in highest heaven, some Attorney who can clear my name -
CSB
19 Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is in the heights!

Job 16:19 Meaning and Commentary

Job 16:19

Also now, behold, my witness [is] in heaven
That is, God, who dwells in the heavens, where his throne is, and which is the habitation of his holiness, and from whence he beholds all the sons of men, and their actions, is the all seeing and all knowing Being; and therefore Job appeals to him as his witness, if he was guilty of the things laid to his charge, to bear witness against him, but if not to be a witness for him, which he believed he would, and desired he might:

for my record [is] on high;
or "my testimony"; that can testify for me; who is an "eyewitness" F11, as some render it, before whom all things are naked and open; who has seen all my actions, even the very inmost recesses of my mind, all the thoughts of my heart, and all the principles of my actions, and him I desire to bear record of me; such appeals are lawful in some cases, which ought not to be common and trivial ones, but of moment and importance, and which cannot well be determined in any other way; such as was the charge of hypocrisy against Job, and suspicions of his having been guilty of some notorious crime, though it could not be pointed at and proved; see ( 1 Samuel 12:3 1 Samuel 12:4 ) ( 2 Corinthians 1:13 ) ( Philippians 1:8 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (ydhv) "oculatus meus testis", Schultens.

Job 16:19 In-Context

17 yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure.
18 “Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest!
19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Genesis 31:50; S Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:5
  • 2. Job 22:12; Job 42:2
  • 3. Job 19:27; Job 21:17; Job 25:2; Job 27:13; Job 31:2; Psalms 113:5; Isaiah 33:5; Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 58:4; Isaiah 66:1; Mark 11:10
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