Job 9
Job's Reply: How Can Man Be Right Before God?
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? Righteousness: Job 4:17, 25:4, Psalms 143:2, Romans 3:20
3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Parallel theme: Job 10:2, 40:2
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Parallel theme: Job 9:19, 36:5, Proverbs 29:1, Ephesians 3:10, 3:20
5 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Parallel theme: Habakkuk 3:10, Matthew 21:21, 27:51, Luke 21:11, Revelation 6:14, 11:13
6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. Parallel theme: Job 26:11, Psalms 75:3, 114:7, Isaiah 2:19, 2:21, Haggai 2:6, 2:21, Hebrews 12:26 +3
7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. Parallel theme: Isaiah 13:10, Amos 8:9
8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Parallel theme: Job 37:18, Psalms 33:6, Isaiah 40:22, 44:24, Jeremiah 10:11, Zechariah 12:1
9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. Parallel theme: Genesis 1:16, Psalms 104:13, 147:4, Amos 5:8, Acts 28:13
10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. Parallel theme: Job 5:9, 37:23, Exodus 15:11, Psalms 71:15, 72:18, 136:4, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Romans 11:33, Ephesians 3:20 +4
11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Parallel theme: Job 35:14, Psalms 77:19, 1 Timothy 6:16
12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? Parallel theme: Job 11:10, 23:13, 33:13, 34:29, Isaiah 45:9, Jeremiah 18:6, Daniel 4:35, Matthew 20:15, Romans 11:34 +4
13 If GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. Parallel theme: Job 26:12, Psalms 89:10, Isaiah 30:7, 51:9
14 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge. Righteousness: Job 10:15. Parallel theme: Job 5:8, 8:5, 10:2, 22:27
16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. Parallel theme: Job 2:3, 16:14, 34:6
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness. Parallel theme: Job 7:19, Lamentations 3:15
19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? Parallel theme: Job 9:4, Psalms 62:11, Matthew 6:13, 1 Corinthians 1:25, 10:22
20 If I justifyJustify: צָדַק (Tsadaq). The Hebrew tsadaq (צָדַק) means to be righteous or to declare righteous—a legal verdict of innocence. Abraham 'believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness' (Genesis 15:6). myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Parallel theme: Job 34:35
21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. Parallel theme: Job 1:1, 7:21, Proverbs 28:26
22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he? Evil: Job 10:3
25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. Parallel theme: James 4:14
26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. Parallel theme: Isaiah 18:2, Habakkuk 1:8
27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself: Parallel theme: Job 7:13
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. Parallel theme: Job 3:25, 7:21, 9:2, 10:14, 14:16, 21:6, Psalms 119:120, 130:3 +3
29 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; Parallel theme: Psalms 26:6, Jeremiah 2:22
31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice.. Judgment: Psalms 143:2. Parallel theme: Numbers 23:19, Ecclesiastes 6:10, Romans 9:20
33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Parallel theme: Job 9:19, 1 Samuel 2:25, Psalms 106:23
34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: Parallel theme: Job 13:11, 33:7, Psalms 39:10
35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.