English Standard Version
Job 9:2
2"Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the 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?
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God?
- New Living Translation (NLT)“Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight?
Context of Job 9:2
1Then Job answered and said: "Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? 3If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. 4He is wise in heart and mighty in strength —who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?—
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 in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?
- Job 14:3And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you?
- Job 25:4How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?
- Job 32:2Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.
- Job 33:9You say, 'I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.
- Job 34:5For Job has said, 'I am in the right, and God has taken away my right;
- 1 Kings 8:46"If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near,
- Psalms 130:3If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
- Psalms 143:2Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
- Romans 3:20For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries