Job 17:3

Job 17:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
• New International Version (NIV)“Give me, O God, the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for me?
• English Standard Version (ESV)"Lay down a pledge for me with you; who is there who will put up security for me?
• New King James Version (NKJV)“Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself. Who is he who will shake hands with me?

Context of Job 17:3

1“My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, The grave is ready for me. 2Surely there are mockers and mockery with me, And my eye gazes on their obstinacy and provocation. “Give me a pledge (guarantee, promise) with Yourself [acknowledge my innocence before my death]; Who is there that will be my guarantor and give security for me? 4But You [Lord] have closed their hearts to understanding, Therefore You will not exalt them [by giving a verdict against me]. 5He who denounces and informs against his friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children will also languish and fail.

Job 17:3 word by word

שִֽׂימָה־נָּ֭א עָרְבֵ֣נִי עִמָּ֑ךְ מִֽי ה֝֗וּא לְיָדִ֥י יִתָּקֵֽעַ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Lay downשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: putH7760
• now, put me in a suretyעָרַב‛ârab · to pledgeH6148
• will strikeתָּקַעtâqa‛ · to blowH8628
• handsיָדyâd · hand: themselvesH3027

Cross-references for Job 17:3

• Job 9:33There is no arbitrator between us, Who could lay his hand upon us both [would that there were].
• Genesis 43:9I will be security (a guarantee) for him; you may hold me [personally] responsible for him. If I do not bring him [back] to you and place him [safely] before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever.
• Genesis 44:32For your servant became security for the young man to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.’
• Proverbs 11:15He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness], But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties].
• Proverbs 20:16[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.”
• Hebrews 7:22And so [because of the oath’s greater strength and force] Jesus has become the certain guarantee of a better covenant [a more excellent and more advantageous agreement; one that will never be replaced or annulled].
• Proverbs 6:11So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely] And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].
• Proverbs 17:18A man lacking common sense gives a pledge And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.
• Proverbs 22:26Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances], Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts.

Commentaries on Job 17:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Lay down now - Deposit a pledge; stake your conduct against mine, and your life and soul on the issue; let the cause come before God, let him try it; and see whether any of you shall be justified by him, while I am condemned.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Lay down now - This is evidently an address to God - a repetition of the wish which he had so often expressed, that he might be permitted to bring his cause directly before him; see Job 13:3. The whole passage here is obscure, because we are in a great measure ignorant of the ancient practices in courts of law, and of the ancient forms of trial. The general sense seems to be, that Job desires the Deity to enter into a judicial investigation, and to give…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-5Give me, I pray, the pledge You demand (literally please keep my pledge with yourself): A pledge (Hebrew ‘erabon) can be a deposit that guarantees payment (Genesis 38:17–20; Exodus 22:26–27; Deuteronomy 24:10–14; see Proverbs 20:16; 27:13). So, this might suggest God forgiving sin (making atonement). It might also refer to Job’s wish for an advocate to support his cause (see study note on Job 16:19–21).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. Lay down now--namely, a pledge or security; that is, be my surety; do Thou attest my innocence, since my friends only mock me (Job 17:2). Both litigating parties had to lay down a sum as security before the trial. put me in a surety--Provide a surety for me (in the trial) with Thee. A presage of the "surety" (He 7:22), or "one Mediator between God and man" (see on Job 16:21). strike hands--"who else (save God Himself) could strike hands with me?" that…Read the comment

Topics related to Job 17:3

• Hand

In the dictionaries

• Extinct
• Hold
• Lay; Laying
• Strike
• Surety

Commentaries on Job 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings