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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 9:3 If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/9-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/18_Job_09_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 9:3 - Job: How Can I Argue with God?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand." /><script type="application/javascript" 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src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/9-2.htm" title="Job 9:2">◄</a> Job 9:3 <a href="/job/9-4.htm" title="Job 9:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand <i>times.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand <i>times.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If one desired to contend with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand <i>times</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If one should want to contend <i>or</i> dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand <i>times</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If one wanted to take him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If one wanted to take Him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Not once in a thousand times could we win our case if we took him to court. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If he be pleased to contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If he wished to debate with God, he wouldn't be able to answer one question in a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How can anyone argue with him? He can ask a thousand questions that no one could ever answer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If one were to seek to argue with him, he won't be able to answer him even once in a thousand times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If someone wishes to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If he is pleased to contend with him, he can't answer him one time in a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If he is pleased to contend with him, he can’t answer him one time in a thousand. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If he delights to strive with Him—He does not answer him one of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If he delight to strive with Him -- He doth not answer him one of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If he shall desire to contend with him, he shall not answer him one from a thousand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one for a thousand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If he chooses to contend with him, he is not able to respond to him once out of a thousand times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Should one wish to contend with him, he could not answer him once in a thousand times. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If he should contend with him, he cannot answer him one out of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If he will desire to judge his people, not one of a thousand answers 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 one should desire to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For if he would enter into judgment with him, <i>God</i> would not hearken to him, so that he should answer to one of his charges of a thousand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/9-3.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=1295" 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">2</span>“Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God? <span class="reftext">3</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/2654.htm" title="2654: yaḥ·pōṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire.">one wished</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: lā·rîḇ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">to contend</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">he could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ya·‘ă·nen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 3mse) -- To answer, respond.">answer Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one time</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min·nî- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">out</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ā·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">of a thousand.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?…<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="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Isaiah 40:14</a></span><br />Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20</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?”<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="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a></span><br />Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:10</a></span><br />Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man is; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Isaiah 40:13</a></span><br />Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-34.htm">Romans 11:34</a></span><br />“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-16.htm">1 Corinthians 2:16</a></span><br />“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2</a></span><br />“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13</a></span><br />But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7</a></span><br />Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/15-14.htm">Job 15:14</a></span><br />What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/25-4.htm">Job 25:4</a></span><br />How then can a man be just before God? How can one born of woman be pure?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-2.htm">Psalm 143:2</a></span><br />Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.</p><p class="hdg">he will contend</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-20.htm">Job 9:20,32,33</a></b></br> If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: <i>if I say</i>, I <i>am</i> perfect, it shall also prove me perverse… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/10-2.htm">Job 10:2</a></b></br> I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3-7</a></b></br> Oh that I knew where I might find him! <i>that</i> I might come <i>even</i> to his seat! … </p><p class="hdg">he cannot</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/19-12.htm">Psalm 19:12</a></b></br> Who can understand <i>his</i> errors? cleanse thou me from secret <i>faults</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Psalm 40:12</a></b></br> For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a></b></br> If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/4-16.htm">Able</a> <a href="/job/7-15.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-10.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/job/3-22.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/job/7-16.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/job/7-2.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/19-10.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/esther/9-32.htm">Law</a> <a href="/job/3-5.htm">Once</a> <a href="/job/6-28.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-9.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-17.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/job/1-3.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/job/8-21.htm">Time</a> <a href="/job/1-4.htm">Times</a> <a href="/esther/1-8.htm">Wished</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/9-15.htm">Able</a> <a href="/job/9-14.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/job/10-2.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/job/13-3.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/job/9-21.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/job/11-19.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/job/9-14.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Law</a> <a href="/job/14-20.htm">Once</a> <a href="/job/17-3.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/job/31-14.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/job/9-14.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/job/33-23.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/job/9-19.htm">Time</a> <a href="/job/19-3.htm">Times</a> <a href="/daniel/5-19.htm">Wished</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 one wished to contend with God</b><br>This phrase highlights the futility of arguing or disputing with God, emphasizing His supreme authority and wisdom. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is responding to his friends, who suggest that his suffering is due to sin. Job acknowledges the impossibility of contending with God, reflecting the belief in God's omnipotence and sovereignty. This idea is echoed in <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a>, where the prophet warns against striving with the Creator. The cultural context of the ancient Near East often depicted gods as powerful beings beyond human challenge, reinforcing the notion of divine supremacy.<p><b>he could not answer Him</b><br>This part underscores human limitations in understanding and responding to God's ways. It reflects the biblical theme of God's inscrutability, as seen in passages like <a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a>, which speaks of the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge. The inability to answer God also points to the need for humility before Him, a recurring theme in wisdom literature. Historically, this reflects the ancient belief in the vast gap between divine and human wisdom, a concept prevalent in the wisdom traditions of the time.<p><b>one time out of a thousand</b><br>The use of "one time out of a thousand" is a hyperbolic expression to convey the rarity or impossibility of successfully answering God. This phrase emphasizes the vast difference between human and divine understanding. In biblical numerology, the number "thousand" often signifies completeness or perfection, as seen in <a href="/psalms/50-10.htm">Psalm 50:10</a>, where God owns "the cattle on a thousand hills." This suggests that even if given countless opportunities, humans would still fall short in comprehending or responding to God's purposes. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between God and humanity, providing the ultimate answer to human suffering and sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator, whom Job acknowledges as sovereign and beyond human comprehension or challenge.<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 broader context. They attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often missing the deeper truths about God's nature.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/heavenly_court.htm">Heavenly Court</a></b><br>The setting at the beginning of the Book of Job, where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness, setting the stage for Job's trials.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/suffering_and_trials.htm">Suffering and Trials</a></b><br>The events that Job endures, including loss of wealth, family, and health, which prompt his deep reflections on God's justice and power.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_wisdom.htm">God's Sovereignty and Wisdom</a></b><br>Recognize that God's wisdom and plans are beyond human understanding. We must approach Him with humility, acknowledging our limitations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitations.htm">Human Limitations</a></b><br>Understand that our ability to question or contend with God is limited. We should focus on trusting His character and purposes, even when we don't understand our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_trials.htm">Faith in Trials</a></b><br>Like Job, maintain faith and integrity during trials. Trust that God is just and good, even when life seems unfair or incomprehensible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>Approach God with a humble heart, recognizing that we cannot answer or challenge Him. This humility should lead us to seek His guidance and wisdom in our lives.<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/why_does_god_appear_silent_or_absent.htm">Why does God appear silent or absent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_colossae_church's_role.htm">Did Job's words contain any sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job_9_7_poetic_or_literal.htm">In Job 9:7, the text suggests God can command the sun not to rise, but astronomy shows consistent solar cycles--does this imply poetic exaggeration or a literal event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_42_contradict_divine_justice.htm">Why does the final chapter (Job 42) seemingly contradict earlier statements about divine justice and fairness, hinting that God's blessing can be won through passive endurance?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">If he will contend with him.</span>--<span class= "bld">If </span>man choose to contend with God, he cannot answer Him one question of <span class= "bld">a </span>thousand, once in a thousand times.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If he will contend with him</span>; rather, <span class="accented">if he should desire to contend with him</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> if, notwithstanding his knowledge of his own weakness and guilt, he should nevertheless be mad enough to desire to contend with God, then he will find that <span class="cmt_word">he cannot answer him one of a thousand</span>. Of the charges which God might in his omniscience bring against him, he could not make a satisfactory reply to one in a thousand. It is not that Job admits any special guilt in himself; but such he feels to be the universal condition of humanity. "All have sinned in ten thousand ways, "and come short of the glory of God" (<a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/9-3.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">one wished</span><br /><span class="heb">יַ֭חְפֹּץ</span> <span class="translit">(yaḥ·pōṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2654.htm">Strong's 2654: </a> </span><span class="str2">To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to contend</span><br /><span class="heb">לָרִ֣יב</span> <span class="translit">(lā·rîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with [God],</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he could not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answer Him</span><br /><span class="heb">יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·nen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one [time]</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(min·nî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a thousand.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽלֶף׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·lep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/9-3.htm">Job 9:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/9-3.htm">OT Poetry: Job 9:3 If he is pleased to contend (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/9-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 9:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 9:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/9-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 9:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 9:4" /></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>