Job 9:19

Job 9:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
• New International Version (NIV)If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him?
• English Standard Version (ESV)If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?
• New King James Version (NKJV)If it is a matter of strength, indeed He is strong; And if of justice, who will appoint my day in court?

Context of Job 9:19

17For He bruises me with a tempest And multiplies my wounds without cause. 18He will not allow me to catch my breath, But fills and saturates me with bitterness. If it is a matter of strength and power, behold, He is mighty! And if of justice, who can summon and challenge Him? 20Though I am innocent and in the right, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty; Though I am blameless, He would denounce me as guilty. 21[Though] I am blameless, I do not care about myself; I despise my life.

Job 9:19 word by word

אִם־לְכֹ֣חַ אַמִּ֣יץ הִנֵּ֑ה וְאִם־לְ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט מִ֣י יוֹעִידֵֽנִי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• of strengthכֹּחַkôach kôach · strengthH3581
• strongאַמִּיץ'ammîyts 'ammits · strongH533
• and if of judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
• who shall setיָעַדyâ‛ad · to appointH3259

Cross-references for Job 9:19

• Job 9:4God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; Who has [ever] defied or challenged Him and remained unharmed?
• Job 36:17“But you [Job] were full of judgment on the wicked, Judgment and justice take hold of you.
• Job 40:9Have you an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His?
• Psalms 62:11God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.
• Matthew 6:13And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’
• 1 Corinthians 1:25[This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort].
• 1 Corinthians 10:22Do we [really] provoke the Lord to jealousy [when we eat food sacrificed to handmade “gods” at pagan feasts]? Are we [spiritually] stronger than He? [Certainly not! He knows that the idols are nothing. But we deeply offend Him.]
• Job 9:32For God is not a [mere] man, as I am, that I may answer Him, That we may go to court and judgment together.
• Job 31:35Oh, that I had one to listen to me! Look, here is my signature (mark); Let the Almighty answer me! Let my adversary write out His indictment [and put His vague accusations in tangible form].
• Job 33:5Answer me, if you can; Set yourselves before me, take your stand.

Commentaries on Job 9:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong - Human wisdom, power, and influence avail nothing before him. Who shall set me a time - יועידני מי mi yoideni, "Who would be a witness for me?" or, Who would dare to appear in my behalf? Almost all the terms in this part of the speech of Job, Job 9:11-24, are forensic or juridical, and are taken from legal processes and pleadings in their gates or courts of justice.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong - There has been a considerable variety in the interpretation of this passage. The meaning seems to be this. It refers to a judicial contest, and Job is speaking of the effect if he and God were to come to a trial, and the cause were to be settled before judges. He is urging reasons why he would have no hope of success in such a case. He says, therefore, “If the matter pertained only to strength, or if it were to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 Job is still righteous in his own eyes, ch. 32:1, and this answer, though it sets forth the power and majesty of God, implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of providence, is a question of might, and not of right; and we begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a self-righteous spirit. Job begins to manifest a disposition to condemn God, that he may justify himself, for which he is afterwards reproved. Still Job…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-35Job answered Bildad by describing God's universal and legal power. His speech resembles a complex legal case. It includes: A summons and response (9:3, 14–16, 19b, 32). The risk of proving himself guilty (9:20). A "mediator" (9:33–34). A question of accusation (9:12). A legal sentence (9:22). A declaration of guilt (9:28–30).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Umbreit takes these as the words of God, translating, "What availeth the might of the strong?" "Here (saith he) behold! what availeth justice? Who will appoint me a time to plead?" (So Jr 49:19). The last words certainly apply better to God than to Job. The sense is substantially the same if we make "me" apply to Job. The "lo!" expresses God's swift readiness for battle when challenged.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 9:19

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Doubting
• God

In the dictionaries

• Chamber
• Contend
• Daysman
• Pillar
• Job, Book of

Commentaries on Job 9

• 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