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?
• 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?
• New Living Translation (NLT)If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?

Context of Job 9:19

17He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason. 18He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery. If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him? 20Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty. 21“Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own 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 9:4His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
• Job 36:17But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.
• Job 40:9Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?
• Psalms 62:11One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God,
• Matthew 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’
• 1 Corinthians 1:25For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
• 1 Corinthians 10:22Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
• Job 9:32“He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.
• Job 31:35(“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.
• Job 33:5Answer me then, if you can; stand up and argue your case before me.

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