Amplified Bible
Job 9:2
2“Yes, I know it is true. But how can a mortal man be right before God?
Job 9:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
- New International Version (NIV)“Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
- English Standard Version (ESV)"Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God?
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God?
Context of Job 9:2
1Then Job answered and said, “Yes, I know it is true. But how can a mortal man be right before God? 3If one should want to contend or dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times. 4God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; Who has [ever] defied or challenged Him and remained unharmed?
Read all of Job 9Job 9:2 word by word
אָ֭מְנָם יָדַ֣עְתִּי כִי־כֵ֑ן וּמַה־יִּצְדַּ֖ק אֱנ֣וֹשׁ עִם־אֵֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 9:2
- Job 4:17‘Can [mortal] man be just before God or be more righteous than He? Can a man be pure before his Maker or be more cleansed than He?
- Job 14:3You also open Your eyes upon him And bring him into judgment with Yourself.
- Job 25:4How then can man be justified and righteous with God? Or how can he who is born of a woman be pure and clean?
- Job 32:2But Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became indignant. His indignation was kindled and burned and he became upset with Job because he justified himself rather than God [and even expressed doubts about God’s character].
- Job 33:9‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me.
- Job 34:5For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right;
- 1 Kings 8:46“When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the enemy’s land, [whether] far away or near;
- Psalms 130:3If You, Lord, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand [before you in judgment and claim innocence]?
- Psalms 143:2And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous or justified.
- Romans 3:20For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].
Commentaries on Job 9:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2I know it is so of a truth - I acknowledge the general truth of the maxims you have advanced. God will not ultimately punish a righteous person, nor shall the wicked finally triumph; and though righteous before man, and truly sincere in my piety, yet I know, when compared with the immaculate holiness of God, all my righteousness is nothing.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2I know it is so of a truth - Job here refers, undoubtedly, to something that had been said before; but whether it is to the general strain of remark, or to some particular expression, may be doubted. Rosenmuller supposes that he refers to what was said by Eliphaz in Job 4:17; but it seems more probable that it is to the general position which had been laid down and defended, that God was just and holy, and that his proceedings were marked with equity. 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. 1-35FIRST SERIES. 2. I know it is so of a truth--that God does not "pervert justice" (Job 8:3). But (even though I be sure of being in the right) how can a mere man assert his right--(be just) with God. The Gospel answers (Ro 3:26).Read the comment
Topics related to Job 9:2
In the dictionaries
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
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