Job 9:11
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Original Language Analysis
יַעֲבֹ֣ר
Lo he goeth
H5674
יַעֲבֹ֣ר
Lo he goeth
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
2 of 9
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עָ֭לַי
H5921
עָ֭לַי
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶרְאֶ֑ה
by me and I see
H7200
אֶרְאֶ֑ה
by me and I see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 9
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְ֝יַחֲלֹ֗ף
him not he passeth on
H2498
וְ֝יַחֲלֹ֗ף
him not he passeth on
Strong's:
H2498
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
וְֽלֹא
H3808
וְֽלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Job 35:14Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.Psalms 77:19Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions used idols to make gods visible and accessible. Biblical monotheism's aniconic worship (no images) meant Israel encountered an invisible God. This demanded faith rather than sight—a theme Job wrestles with as he seeks to perceive God's presence in his suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain faith when God seems absent despite theological certainty of His presence?
- What does Job's experience teach about the difference between God's actual presence and our perception of it?
- In what ways does Christ's incarnation address human longing to see and perceive God?
Analysis & Commentary
Job laments God's imperceptibility: 'Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.' The particle 'Lo' (hen, הֵן) calls attention to the paradox. God moves ('goeth,' avar, עָבַר) near Job, yet remains invisible. The parallel verbs 'see' (ra'ah, רָאָה) and 'perceive' (bin, בִּין) emphasize both physical and mental inability to detect God's presence. Job experiences divine absence despite theological conviction of divine omnipresence.
This verse articulates the 'hiddenness of God'—a theme throughout Scripture (Psalm 10:1, 13:1, Isaiah 45:15). God's presence doesn't always register in human experience. Job knows God acts but cannot see Him acting. This disconnect between theological knowledge and experiential awareness creates acute distress. Faith requires trusting God's unseen presence and purposes.
The incarnation addresses this problem: 'No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son... hath declared him' (John 1:18). Christ makes the invisible God visible. Job's longing for perceivable divine presence finds fulfillment in Emmanuel—God with us. The God who passes by unseen becomes the God who walks among us in flesh.