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 attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause. 18He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows. 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? 20Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked. 21“I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me— I despise my 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 9:4For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?
• Job 36:17But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.
• Job 40:9Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his?
• Psalms 62:11God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;
• Matthew 6:13And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
• 1 Corinthians 1:25This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
• 1 Corinthians 10:22What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?
• Job 9:32“God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
• Job 31:35“If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.
• Job 33:5Answer me, if you can; make your case and take your stand.

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