Job 13:19
Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
Original Language Analysis
מִי
H4310
מִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
ה֭וּא
H1931
ה֭וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 8
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יָרִ֣יב
Who is he that will plead
H7378
יָרִ֣יב
Who is he that will plead
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַתָּ֖ה
H6258
Historical Context
Ancient legal culture required accusers to publicly present evidence. Job's challenge reflects this legal framework, demanding anyone with accusations bring them forward for examination.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is vindication and justice so important to human flourishing, beyond merely ending suffering?
- How does our longing for legal righteousness point to our need for justification in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.' Job challenges any accuser: 'Who will plead' (יָרִיב, yariv—contend legally) against him? He's so confident that silence would mean death—'give up the ghost' (אֶגְוָע, egva—expire, perish). This bold challenge precedes Job's courtroom language throughout the book. Job desires legal vindication, not just relief. His concern for justice over mere comfort reveals that humans are more than pleasure-seeking animals—we're moral agents who need vindication. The Reformed doctrine of justification addresses this deep need. Job's cry anticipates Christ who provides legal standing before God.