Job 9:3
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 9
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יַ֭חְפֹּץ
If he will
H2654
יַ֭חְפֹּץ
If he will
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
לָרִ֣יב
contend
H7378
לָרִ֣יב
contend
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
עִמּ֑וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 9
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ
with him he cannot answer
H6030
יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ
with him he cannot answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
6 of 9
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,
Historical Context
Legal imagery permeates Job, reflecting ancient Near Eastern court procedures. Job's acknowledgment of asymmetrical power doesn't end his suit but grounds it in realistic assessment of God's sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you approach God when you know you can't 'win' an argument?
- What motivates prayer when rational odds seem impossible?
Analysis & Commentary
Job acknowledges that if a man would 'contend with him' (God), 'he could not answer him one of a thousand.' This recognition of God's infinite wisdom versus human limitation establishes the impossibility of winning a legal case against the Almighty. Yet Job continues to seek audience, revealing faith that persists despite rational futility.