Job 23:7
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁ֗ם
H8033
נוֹכָ֣ח
might dispute
H3198
נוֹכָ֣ח
might dispute
Strong's:
H3198
Word #:
3 of 7
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
עִמּ֑וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 7
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַאֲפַלְּטָ֥ה
with him so should I be delivered
H6403
וַאֲפַלְּטָ֥ה
with him so should I be delivered
Strong's:
H6403
Word #:
5 of 7
to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver
Historical Context
This verse reflects ancient legal culture where disputes were adjudicated in public forums at city gates. Job transposes earthly jurisprudence to cosmic dimensions, imagining a heavenly court where humans can plead their case. Early church fathers cited this passage when developing theology of final judgment, noting that Christ provides what Job intuited—a righteous advocate who secures eternal deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's confidence in vindication through divine encounter inform Christian assurance of justification?
- What does it mean that God serves as both judge and deliverer in the believer's life?
- How does Christ's work as both judge and advocate fulfill the tension Job expresses in this verse?
Analysis & Commentary
There the righteous might dispute with him (שָׁם יָשָׁר נוֹכָח עִמּוֹ, sham yashar nokhach immo)—Yashar (upright, righteous) describes moral integrity, while nokhach means to reason, prove, or argue a case. Job envisions a tribunal where the righteous can engage God in rational discourse on equal forensic footing. This remarkable claim—that God permits legal disputation with His creatures—contradicts pagan concepts of divine remoteness and capriciousness.
So should I be delivered for ever from my judge (וַאֲפַלְּטָה לָנֶצַח מִשֹּׁפְטִי, va'afalletah lanetzach mishofti)—Palat (escape, deliver) coupled with lanetzach (forever, perpetually) expresses Job's confidence in permanent vindication. The paradox is profound: Job calls God 'my judge' (shofti) yet believes encounter would bring deliverance, not condemnation. He trusts that divine judgment, unlike human judgment clouded by ignorance, would recognize his integrity. This foreshadows justification doctrine: God as both judge and justifier (Romans 3:26).