Job 9:19

Authorized King James Version

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If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לְכֹ֣חַ If I speak of strength H3581
לְכֹ֣חַ If I speak of strength
Strong's: H3581
Word #: 2 of 8
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
אַמִּ֣יץ lo he is strong H533
אַמִּ֣יץ lo he is strong
Strong's: H533
Word #: 3 of 8
strong or (abstractly) strength
הִנֵּ֑ה H2009
הִנֵּ֑ה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 4 of 8
lo!
וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 5 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לְ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט and if of judgment H4941
לְ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט and if of judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 6 of 8
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
מִ֣י H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 7 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יוֹעִידֵֽנִי׃ who shall set H3259
יוֹעִידֵֽנִי׃ who shall set
Strong's: H3259
Word #: 8 of 8
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi

Analysis & Commentary

Job acknowledges asymmetrical power: 'If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?' Regarding 'strength' (koach, כֹּחַ), Job admits God is mighty (ammits, אַמִּיץ). Regarding 'judgment' (mishpat, מִשְׁפָּט), Job asks who can summon God to trial—'set me a time' (yoedeni, יוֹעֲדֵנִי) means to appoint or designate a court date. Job cannot compel God's appearance in court; no bailiff can serve summons on the Almighty.

Job's legal metaphor intensifies: he wants trial but cannot enforce it. God cannot be subpoenaed, witnesses cannot be compelled, evidence cannot be forced. The defendant controls the court. Job's desire for legal resolution meets insurmountable barrier: God's sovereignty makes Him both party to dispute and sole authority over whether proceedings occur. This seems to preclude justice.

The gospel provides what Job seeks: a court where God Himself is judged. At Calvary, God in Christ stood trial before human judges and submitted to unjust verdict. The One who could not be summoned voluntarily appeared. The One who could not be judged willingly accepted judgment. Christ's trial vindicates divine justice while providing human justification.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern legal systems assumed rough parity between litigants—both could summon witnesses, both had access to judges, both operated under same rules. Job's problem is radical asymmetry: when one party is infinitely more powerful and is also judge, how can justice occur? This anticipates Christ's voluntary submission to human jurisdiction.

Questions for Reflection