Job 19
Job 19 is part of “Second Cycle of Dialogue” (15–21) in the outline of Job.
Job 19 summary
This chapter is Job's answer to Bildad's discourse in the foregoing chapter. Though his spirit was grieved and much heated, and Bildad was very peevish, yet he gave him leave to say all he designed to say, and did not break in upon him in the midst of his argument; but, when he had done, he gave him a fair answer, in which, I. He complains of unkind usage. And very unkindly he takes it. 1.
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This chapter is Job's answer to Bildad's discourse in the foregoing chapter. Though his spirit was grieved and much heated, and Bildad was very peevish, yet he gave him leave to say all he designed to say, and did not break in upon him in the midst of his argument; but, when he had done, he gave him a fair answer, in which, I. He complains of unkind usage. And very unkindly he takes it. 1. That his comforters added to his affliction (Job 19:2-7). 2. That his God was the author of his affliction (Job 19:8-12). 3. That his relations and friends were strange to him, and shy of him, in his affliction (Job 19:20-22). II. He comforts himself with the believing hopes of happiness in the other world, though he had so little comfort in this, making a very solemn confession of his faith, with a desire that it might be recorded as an evidence of his sincerity (Job 19:23-27). III. He concludes with a caution to his friends not to persist in their hard censures of him (Job 19:28, Job 19:29) If the remonstrance Job here makes of his grievances may serve sometimes to justify our complaints, yet his cheerful views of the future state, at the same time, may shame us Christians, and may serve to silence our complaints, or at least to balance them.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Job 19
Job 19 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Job's Reply: How Long Will You Torment Me?
1Bvt Iob answered, and said, 2Howe long will yee vexe my soule, and torment me with wordes? 3Ye haue now ten times reproched me, and are not ashamed: ye are impudent toward mee. 4And though I had in deede erred, mine errour remaineth with me. 5But in deede if ye will aduance your selues against me, and rebuke me for my reproche, 6Know nowe, that God hath ouerthrowen me, and hath compassed me with his net. 7Beholde, I crie out of violence, but I haue none answere: I crie, but there is no iudgement. 8Hee hath hedged vp my way that I cannot passe, and he hath set darkenesse in my paths. 9Hee hath spoyled mee of mine honour, and taken the crowne away from mine head. 10He hath destroyed mee on euery side and I am gone: and he hath remoued mine hope like a tree. 11And he hath kindled his wrath against me, and counteth mee as one of his enemies. 12His armies came together, and made their way vpon me, and camped about my tabernacle. 13He hath remooued my brethre farre from me, and also mine acquaintance were strangers vnto me. 14My neighbours haue forsaken me, and my familiars haue forgotten me. 15They that dwel in mine house, and my maydes tooke me for a stranger: for I was a stranger in their sight. 16I called my seruant, but he would not answere, though I prayed him with my mouth. 17My breath was strange vnto my wife, though I prayed her for the childrens sake of mine owne body. 18The wicked also despised mee, and when I rose, they spake against me. 19All my secret friends abhorred me, and they whome I loued, are turned against me. 20My bone cleaueth to my skinne and to my flesh, and I haue escaped with the skinne of my teeth. 21Haue pitie vpon me: haue pitie vpon me, (O yee my friendes) for the hande of God hath touched me. 22Why do ye persecute me, as God? and are not satisfied with my flesh?
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
23Oh that my wordes were nowe written! oh that they were written euen in a booke, 24And grauen with an yron pen in lead, or in stone for euer! 25For I am sure, that my Redeemer liueth, and he shall stand the last on the earth. 26And though after my skin wormes destroy this bodie, yet shall I see God in my flesh. 27Whome I my selfe shall see, and mine eyes shall beholde, and none other for me, though my reynes are consumed within me. 28But yee sayde, Why is hee persecuted? And there was a deepe matter in me. 29Be ye afraide of the sworde: for the sworde will be auenged of wickednesse, that yee may knowe that there is a iudgement.