Job 23:4 - Exposition

I would order my cause before him . Job has put away the feelings of shame and diffidence, which were predominant with him when he said, "How should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand" ( Job 9:2 , Job 9:3 ); and again, "How much less shall I answer him, and cheese out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; but I would make my supplication to my Judge" ( Job 9:14 , Job 9:15 ). He now wishes to contend and argue and reason. This is quite in accordance with our experience. Many am the moods of man—various and conflicting his desires! His mind never continues long in one stay. And fill my mouth with arguments (comp. Psalms 38:14 , where our translators render the same word by "reproofs," but where "arguments" or "pleadings" would be more appropriate). The LXX . has there ἐλεγμοὶ , and in the present passage ἔλεγχοι . The word is forensic.