Job 9:14

Job 9:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
• New International Version (NIV)“How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him?
• English Standard Version (ESV)How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?
• New Living Translation (NLT)“So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him?

Context of Job 9:14

12If He takes away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’ 13God will not withdraw His anger, The allies of the proud lie prostrate beneath Him. “How then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him? 15For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge. 16If I called and He answered me, I would not believe that He was listening to my voice.

Job 9:14 word by word

אַ֭ף כִּֽי־אָנֹכִ֣י אֶֽעֱנֶ֑נּוּ אֶבְחֲרָ֖ה דְבָרַ֣י עִמּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• How much less shall I answerעָנָה‛ânâh · to answerH6030
• choose outבָּחַרbâchar · to chooseH977
• my wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697

Cross-references for Job 9:14

• Job 4:19How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth?
• Job 25:6How much less man, who is a maggot, And a son of man, who is a worm?”
• 1 Kings 8:27“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!
• Job 11:4For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’
• Job 23:4I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
• Job 33:5If you can answer me, Set your words in order before me; Take your stand.

Commentaries on Job 9:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14How much less shall I answer - I cannot contend with my Maker. He is the Lawgiver and the Judge. How shall I stand in judgment before him?Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14How much less shall I answer him? - I, who am so feeble, how can I contend with him? If the most mighty objects in the universe are under his control; if the constellations are directed by him; if the earth is shaken, and mountains moved from their places, by his power, and if the men of most exalted rank are prostrated by him, how can I presume to contend with God? This is the common view which is given of the passage, and is evidently that which our…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. 1414. How much less shall I? &c.--who am weak, seeing that the mighty have to stoop before Him. Choose words (use a well-chosen speech, in order to reason) with Him.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 9:14

• God
• Humility

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