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 breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause. 18He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness. Ifwe speakof strength, lo, he ismighty! And if of justice, Who, saith he, will summon me? 20Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse. 21I am perfect; I regard not myself; I despise my life.

Job 9:19 word by word

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

• strengthכֹּחַkôach kôach · reptileH3581
• justiceמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
• summonיָעַדyâ‛ad · to appointH3259

Cross-references for Job 9:19

• Job 9:4He iswise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?—
• Job 36:17But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take holdon thee.
• Job 40:9Or hast thou an arm like God? And canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
• Psalms 62:11God hath spoken once, Twice have I heard this, That power belongeth unto God.
• Matthew 6:13And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
• 1 Corinthians 1:25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
• 1 Corinthians 10:22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
• Job 9:32For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.
• Job 31:35Oh that I had one to hear me! (Lo, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me) Andthat I hadthe indictment which mine adversary hath written!
• Job 33:5If thou canst, answer thou me; Setthy wordsin order before me, stand forth.

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