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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 9:19 If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/9-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/18_Job_09_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 9:19 - Job: How Can I Argue with God?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! 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And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If <i>I speak</i> of strength, lo, <i>he is</i> strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time <i>to plead</i>?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If <i>it is a matter</i> of strength, indeed <i>He is</i> strong; And if of justice, who will appoint my day <i>in court?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If <i>it is a matter</i> of power, behold, <i>He is</i> the strong one! And if <i>it is a matter</i> of justice, who can summon Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If it is a matter of power, behold, He is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If <i>it is a matter</i> of power, behold, <i>He is</i> the strong one! And if <i>it is a matter</i> of justice, who can summon Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If <i>it is a matter</i> of power, behold, <i>He is</i> the mighty one! And if <i>it is a matter</i> of justice, who can make Him testify?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If it is a matter of strength <i>and</i> power, behold, <i>He is</i> mighty! And if of justice, who can summon <i>and</i> challenge Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, look, he is the powerful one! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If we speak of strength, lo, he is mighty! And if of justice, Who, saith he, will summon me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God is much stronger than I am, and who would call me into court to give me justice? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If we speak of the strength of the mighty, lo, he is there! and if of judgment, who will appoint me a time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, then he is the mighty one. If it is about justice, who will charge me with a crime?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Should I try force? Try force on God? Should I take him to court? Could anyone make him go? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, most certainly he is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, he will say, 'Who will summon me?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, look, he is mighty. And if of justice, who will summon him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! If of justice, ‘Who,’ says he, ‘will summon me?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If of power, behold, the Strong One; And if of judgment—who convenes me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If of power, lo, the Strong One; And if of judgment -- who doth convene me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If for strength, behold him strong: if for judgment, who shall arraign me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If strength be demanded, he is most strong: if equity of judgment, no man dare bear witness for me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If strength is sought, he is most strong; if equity in judgment, no one would dare to give testimony for me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If it be a question of strength, he is mighty; or of judgment, who will call him to account? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If it is a contest of strength, he is the strong one! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If it is a matter of strength, lo, he is mighty; and if of judgment, who can summon him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If one is strong in power, he is, and if he is for judgment, who is going to appease him?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If it be a matter of strength, lo, He is mighty! And if of justice, who will appoint me a time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For indeed he is strong in power: who then shall resist his judgment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/9-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=1388" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm">Job: How Can I Argue with God?</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>He does not let me catch my breath, but overwhelms me with bitterness. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/3581.htm" title="3581: lə·ḵō·aḥ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Or kowach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally or figuratively; also a large lizard.">it is a matter of strength,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">He is indeed</a> <a href="/hebrew/533.htm" title="533: ’am·mîṣ (Adj-ms) -- Mighty. Or ammits; from 'amats; strong or strength.">mighty!</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: lə·miš·pāṭ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Judgment. ">it is a matter of justice,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3259.htm" title="3259: yō·w·‘î·ḏê·nî (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms:: 1cs) -- To appoint. A primitive root; to fix upon; by implication, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage.">can summon Him?</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-8.htm">Psalm 89:8-9</a></span><br />O LORD God of Hosts, who is like You? O mighty LORD, Your faithfulness surrounds You. / You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-10.htm">Isaiah 40:10</a></span><br />Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-17.htm">Jeremiah 32:17</a></span><br />“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-6.htm">Exodus 15:6</a></span><br />Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/3-24.htm">Deuteronomy 3:24</a></span><br />“O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant. For what god in heaven or on earth can perform such works and mighty acts as Yours?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-12.htm">1 Chronicles 29:12</a></span><br />Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/62-11.htm">Psalm 62:11</a></span><br />God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: that power belongs to God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a></span><br />But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/13-4.htm">2 Corinthians 13:4</a></span><br />For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. For we are also weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him concerning you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-19.htm">Ephesians 1:19-21</a></span><br />and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, / which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, / far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-21.htm">Philippians 3:21</a></span><br />who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I speak of strength, see, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?</p><p class="hdg">he is strong.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-4.htm">Job 9:4</a></b></br> <i>He is</i> wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened <i>himself</i> against him, and hath prospered?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/36-17.htm">Job 36:17-19</a></b></br> But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold <i>on thee</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-9.htm">Job 40:9,10</a></b></br> Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? … </p><p class="hdg">who shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-32.htm">Job 9:32,33</a></b></br> For <i>he is</i> not a man, as I <i>am, that</i> I should answer him, <i>and</i> we should come together in judgment… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35</a></b></br> Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire <i>is, that</i> the Almighty would answer me, and <i>that</i> mine adversary had written a book.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-5.htm">Job 33:5-7</a></b></br> If thou canst answer me, set <i>thy words</i> in order before me, stand up… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/2-3.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/job/9-17.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-14.htm">Contest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-12.htm">Convene</a> <a href="/job/7-17.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/job/9-15.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/job/8-3.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/9-3.htm">Law</a> <a href="/esther/9-31.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/job/9-4.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/9-15.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/job/9-4.htm">Power</a> <a href="/job/8-8.htm">Question</a> <a href="/job/8-10.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/job/9-4.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/job/9-4.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-12.htm">Summon</a> <a href="/job/9-3.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/14-13.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/job/9-35.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">Contest</a> <a href="/daniel/3-2.htm">Convene</a> <a href="/job/11-15.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/job/9-32.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/job/19-7.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Law</a> <a href="/job/19-28.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/job/12-19.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/job/13-8.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/job/9-24.htm">Power</a> <a href="/job/12-7.htm">Question</a> <a href="/job/9-35.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/job/12-6.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/job/12-19.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/job/13-22.htm">Summon</a> <a href="/job/10-17.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Job 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/9-1.htm">Job acknowledges God's justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Man's innocence is not to be condemned by afflictions</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty!</b><br>This phrase acknowledges the omnipotence of God, a central theme throughout the Book of Job. Job recognizes that God's power is unmatched and beyond human comprehension. This aligns with other biblical passages that emphasize God's strength, such as <a href="/psalms/147-5.htm">Psalm 147:5</a>, which states, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power." The cultural context of the ancient Near East often depicted gods as powerful beings, but the God of Israel is portrayed as the ultimate source of strength, surpassing all others. This acknowledgment of divine strength also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who demonstrates God's power through miracles and His resurrection.<p><b>If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?</b><br>Here, Job grapples with the concept of divine justice, questioning who has the authority to call God to account. This reflects the ancient understanding of God as the ultimate judge, whose decisions are beyond human challenge. The rhetorical question underscores the futility of contending with God in matters of justice, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Isaiah 40:13-14</a>, which asks, "Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor?" This phrase also points to the New Testament, where Jesus is depicted as the righteous judge (<a href="/john/5-22.htm">John 5:22</a>), emphasizing that divine justice is ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The cultural context of Job's time would have understood justice as a divine prerogative, reinforcing the idea that God's ways are inscrutable and His judgments are final.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He is undergoing severe trials and is in dialogue with his friends about the nature of God and suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, whose strength and justice are being discussed by Job. He is portrayed as omnipotent and sovereign, beyond human challenge or summoning.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the larger dialogue. They represent traditional views on suffering and divine justice, often attributing Job's suffering to personal sin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>While not directly referenced in this verse, the context of Job includes the heavenly court where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of the Book of Job, a place of ancient wisdom and the backdrop for Job's trials and dialogues.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omnipotence.htm">God's Omnipotence</a></b><br>Job acknowledges that if strength is the measure, God is unmatched. This reminds us of the importance of recognizing God's supreme power in our lives, especially when we face challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a></b><br>Job's rhetorical question about summoning God for justice highlights the futility of human attempts to challenge divine justice. We must trust in God's perfect justice, even when we do not understand our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitations.htm">Human Limitations</a></b><br>Job's statement underscores human limitations in understanding and influencing God's will. It calls us to humility and reliance on God's wisdom rather than our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_trials.htm">Faith in Trials</a></b><br>Despite his suffering, Job's acknowledgment of God's might and justice serves as a model for maintaining faith and reverence for God during personal trials.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_mystery_of_suffering.htm">The Mystery of Suffering</a></b><br>Job's dialogue invites us to explore the mystery of suffering and the role of faith, encouraging us to seek God's presence and wisdom rather than easy answers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god's_justice_shown_in_job_19.htm">How do we reconcile the justice of God in Job 19 with the apparently unjust and arbitrary suffering Job endures?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_a_wise_god_allow_suffering.htm">In Job 9:4, how can an all-powerful God allow innocent suffering if He is truly wise and mighty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_god_'despise_no_one'_yet_judge.htm">In Job 36:5, how can God 'despise no one' if other scriptures depict His wrath and judgment against certain people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god_'great'_amid_injustice.htm">Jeremiah 32:18-19: How can God be described as both 'great in counsel' and 'mighty in deed' when injustice and tragedy are still prevalent in the world?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">If I speak of strength.</span>--All this is the most uncompromising acknowledgment of the absolute inability of man to stand in judgment before God. The whole of this is so very abrupt and enigmatical that it is extremely difficult to be sure of the argument, though naturally the general drift of it is obvious enough. "If it were a trial of strength--Who is Almighty?--and if it was a matter of judgment, is He not judge and court together? and what authority that He would acknowledge could give me the opportunity of pleading my cause before Him? Were I righteous, my own mouth would show me wicked; were I perfect, then would it or He prove me perverse. Were I perfect, I should not know myself, or know it myself. I despise my life under such conditions; therefore, said I, it is all one: He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked alike."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong</span>. Still the idea is, "How can I contend with God? If it is to be a trial of strength, it is he who is strong, not I; if it is to be a suit, or pleading for justice, who will appoint me a day?" <span class="cmt_word">And if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?</span> (comp. below, ver 33). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/9-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is a matter of strength,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכֹ֣חַ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵō·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small reptile (of unknown species)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He is indeed</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mighty!</span><br /><span class="heb">אַמִּ֣יץ</span> <span class="translit">(’am·mîṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_533.htm">Strong's 533: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strong, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is a matter of justice,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט</span> <span class="translit">(lə·miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can summon Him?</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹעִידֵֽנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·‘î·ḏê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3259.htm">Strong's 3259: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/9-19.htm">Job 9:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/9-19.htm">OT Poetry: Job 9:19 If it is a matter of strength (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/9-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 9:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 9:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/9-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 9:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 9:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>