Job 23:3
Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 7
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִתֵּ֣ן
Oh that
H5414
יִתֵּ֣ן
Oh that
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יָ֭דַעְתִּי
I knew
H3045
יָ֭דַעְתִּי
I knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּ
where I might find
H4672
וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּ
where I might find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אָ֝ב֗וֹא
him! that I might come
H935
אָ֝ב֗וֹא
him! that I might come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 7
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern legal systems allowed direct appeal to kings/judges. Job's desire for God's 'seat' (throne/judgment seat) reveals confidence in eventual justice.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to seek God when He seems absent?
- How do you maintain faith in God's justice when you can't find Him?
Analysis & Commentary
Job's longing: 'Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!' This desire for direct divine encounter shows faith that persists despite God's apparent absence. Job wants audience, not explanation through intermediaries.