Read Job chapter 9 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 9 is part of “First Cycle of Dialogue” (4–14) in the outline of Job.
Job 9 summary
In this and the following chapter we have Job's answer to Bildad's discourse, wherein he speaks honourably of God, humbly of himself, and feelingly of his troubles; but not one word by way of reflection upon his friends, or their unkindness to him, nor in direct reply to what Bildad had said. He wisely keeps to the merits of the cause, and makes no remarks upon the person that managed it, nor seeks occasion against him. In this chapter we have, I. The doctrine of God's justice laid down (Job 9:2). II. The proof of it, from his wisdom, and power, and sovereign dominion (Job 9:3-13). III. The application of it, in which, 1. He condemns himself, as not able to contend with God either in law or battle (Job 9:14-21). 2. He maintains his point, that we cannot judge of men's character by their outward condition (Job 9:22-24). 3. He complains of the greatness of his troubles, the confusion he was in, and the loss he was at what to say or do (Job 9:25-35).
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).
1 Then Job answered,
2 “Truly I know that it is so, but how can man be just with God?
3 If he is pleased to contend with him, he can’t answer him one time in a thousand.
4 God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered?
5 He removes the mountains, and they don’t know it, when he overturns them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth out of its place. Its pillars tremble.
7 He commands the sun and it doesn’t rise, and seals up the stars.
8 He alone stretches out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.
9 He makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the rooms of the south.
10 He does great things past finding out; yes, marvelous things without number.
11 Behold, he goes by me, and I don’t see him. He passes on also, but I don’t perceive him.
12 Behold, he snatches away. Who can hinder him? Who will ask him, ‘What are you doing?’
13 “God will not withdraw his anger. The helpers of Rahab stoop under him.
14 How much less will I answer him, and choose my words to argue with him?
15 Though I were righteous, yet I wouldn’t answer him. I would make supplication to my judge.
16 If I had called, and he had answered me, yet I wouldn’t believe that he listened to my voice.
17 For he breaks me with a storm, and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18 He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.
19 If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! If of justice, ‘Who,’ says he, ‘will summon me?’
20 Though I am righteous, my own mouth will condemn me. Though I am blameless, it will prove me perverse.
21 I am blameless. I don’t respect myself. I despise my life.
22 “It is all the same. Therefore I say he destroys the blameless and the wicked.
23 If the scourge kills suddenly, he will mock at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If not he, then who is it?
25 “Now my days are swifter than a runner. They flee away. They see no good.
26 They have passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey.
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and cheer up,’
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows. I know that you will not hold me innocent.
29 I will be condemned. Why then do I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,
31 yet you will plunge me in the ditch. My own clothes will abhor me.
32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, that we should come together in judgment.
33 There is no umpire between us, that might lay his hand on us both.
34 Let him take his rod away from me. Let his terror not make me afraid;
35 then I would speak, and not fear him, for I am not so in myself.