God’s Word Translation
Job 9:2
2“Yes, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be declared righteous to 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 replied ⌞to his friends⌟, “Yes, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be declared righteous to God? 3If he wished to debate with God, he wouldn’t be able to answer one question in a thousand. 4“God is wise in heart and mighty in power. Who could oppose him and win?
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 ⌞any⌟ mortal be righteous to God? Can ⌞any⌟ human being be pure to his maker?’
- Job 14:3You observe this and call me to account to you.
- Job 25:4How can a person be righteous to God? How can anyone born of a woman be pure?
- Job 32:2Then Elihu, son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job because Job thought he was more righteous than God.
- Job 33:9⌞You said,⌟ ‘I’m pure—without any rebellious acts ⌞against God⌟. I’m clean; I have no sin.
- Job 34:5because Job has said, ‘I’m righteous, but God has taken away my rights.
- 1 Kings 8:46“They may sin against you. (No one is sinless.) You may become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy who takes them to ⌞another⌟ country as captives, ⌞whether it is⌟ far or near.
- Psalms 130:3O Lord, who would be able to stand if you kept a record of sins?
- Psalms 143:2Do not take me to court for judgment, because there is no one alive who is righteous in your presence.
- Romans 3:20Not one person can have God’s approval by any effort to follow the laws in the Scriptures. These laws show what sin is.
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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