Job 31:35
Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
Original Language Analysis
מִ֤י
H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִתֶּן
Oh that
H5414
יִתֶּן
Oh that
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שֹׁ֘מֵ֤עַֽ
one would hear
H8085
שֹׁ֘מֵ֤עַֽ
one would hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יַעֲנֵ֑נִי
would answer
H6030
יַעֲנֵ֑נִי
would answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
וְסֵ֥פֶר
a book
H5612
וְסֵ֥פֶר
a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
כָּ֝תַ֗ב
had written
H3789
כָּ֝תַ֗ב
had written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
11 of 13
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Cross References
Job 13:24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?Job 19:7Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.Job 17:3Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?Job 13:3Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.Job 35:14Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern legal proceedings required written documentation of charges. Job's request that his adversary write a book demands formal, specific indictment. His friends offered general accusations but no documented evidence. Job's demand anticipates the gospel where Satan (the accuser) has no legitimate charge against those in Christ. The verse expresses the universal human longing to hear from God directly.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Job's longing to hear from God express the universal human desire for direct divine encounter?
- What does Job's demand for documented charges teach about the necessity of specificity in accusations?
Analysis & Commentary
Job cries: 'Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.' The exclamation mi yitten-li shomea li (מִי יִתֶּן־לִי שֹׁמֵעַ לִי, Oh that one would hear me) expresses deep longing. Job desires direct encounter with God rather than mediation through friends' faulty theology. The phrase 'my desire' (tavi, תָּוִי) may mean 'my signature' or 'my mark'—Job signs his defense. The request that his 'adversary' (ish rivi, אִישׁ רִיבִי, literally 'man of my lawsuit') write a book (sefer, סֵפֶר) demands formal legal documentation. Job wants specifics, not general accusations. This longing is fulfilled when God answers (chapters 38-41).