Job 9:14-35 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 9:14-21

What Job had said of man's utter inability to contend with God he here applies to himself, and in effect despairs of gaining his favour, which (some think) arises from the hard thoughts he had of God, as one who, having set himself against him, right or wrong, would be too hard for him. I rather think it arises from the sense he had of the imperfection of his own righteousness, and the dark and cloudy apprehensions which at present he had of God's displeasure against him. I. He durst not... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 9:22-24

Here Job touches briefly upon the main point now in dispute between him and his friends. They maintained that those who are righteous and good always prosper in this world, and none but the wicked are in misery and distress; he asserted, on the contrary, that it is a common thing for the wicked to prosper and the righteous to be greatly afflicted. This is the one thing, the chief thing, wherein he and his friends differed; and they had not proved their assertion, therefore he abides by his: ?I... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 9:25-35

Job here grows more and more querulous, and does not conclude this chapter with such reverent expressions of God's wisdom and justice as he began with. Those that indulge a complaining humour know not to what indecencies, nay, to what impieties, it will hurry them. The beginning of that strife with God is as the letting forth of water; therefore leave it off before it be meddled with. When we are in trouble we are allowed to complain to God, as the Psalmist often, but must by no means complain... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:14

How much less shall I answer him ,.... Who is wise in heart, and mighty in strength, and has done and does the many things before related; who is invisible, passes by, and onwards insensibly; so that there is no knowing where to speak to him, or how to guard against him, since he can come on on every side, at an unawares, and unseen; and who is a sovereign Being, who can do, and does, whatever he pleases; and therefore there is no such thing as disputing any point with him, or calling him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:15

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer ,.... This is not to be understood of the righteousness of his cause, that Job made no supposition of, but strongly asserted and determined to hold it fast as long as he lived; nor of his evangelic righteousness, the righteousness of faith he was acquainted with, even the righteousness of his living Redeemer, by which he knew he was, and should be, justified; and by which righteousness he could and did answer God, as every believer may,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:16

If I had called, and he had answered me ,.... Mr. Broughton reads the words, "if I cry, will he answer me?" as if Job had some doubt upon his mind whether God would vouchsafe to answer him, though he should make his supplication to him, as he proposed; seeing he had so sorely afflicted him, and still continued his hand upon him; or the words may be rendered, "though I have called, and he has answered" F17 אם קראתי ויענני "etiamsi clamavi et respondit mihi", Schmidt. , in times... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:17

For he breaketh me with a tempest ,.... Which rises suddenly, comes powerfully, and carries all before it irresistibly; hereby signifying the nature of his present sore afflictions, which came upon him at once, pressed him down, and utterly destroyed him, against which there was no standing: perhaps he may have some reference to the storm of wind that blew down the house, by which his children were destroyed. Schultens renders it, "a burning tempest" F19 בשערה "in turbine ardenti",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:18

He will not suffer me to take my breath ,.... Which some think refers to Job's disease, which was either an asthma, or a quinsy in his throat, which occasioned great difficulty in breathing: I should rather think the allusion is to the hot burning winds in those countries before mentioned, which sometimes blew so strongly as almost to take away a man's breath; so the above traveller F21 Travels. par. 1. B. 2. c. 34. p. 177. reports, that between Suez and Cairo (in Egypt) they had for a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:19

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong ,.... Or think of it, or betake myself to that, and propose to carry my point by mere force, as some men do by dint of power and authority they are possessed of; alas! there is nothing to be done this way; I am a poor, weak, feeble creature in body, mind, and estate; I am not able to contend with so powerful an antagonist on any account, in any way: God is strong, he is the "most strong" F23 אמיץ "robustissimus est", V. L. , as some render... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:20

If I justify myself ,.... Seek for justification by his own righteousness, trust in himself that he was righteous, say that he was so, and pronounce himself a righteous man, what would it signify? mine own mouth shall condemn me ; the words of it being sinful, vain, idle, and frothy; and if a man is to be justified, and condemned by his words, he may be sure of the latter: indeed, "if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man", James 3:2 ; but let a man be as careful as he... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 9:14-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 9:22-24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 9:25-35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 9:20

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