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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 16:21 Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/16-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/18_Job_16_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 16:21 - Job Decries his Comforters" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/16-20.htm" title="Job 16:20">◄</a> Job 16:21 <a href="/job/16-22.htm" title="Job 16:22">►</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/16.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/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man <i>pleadeth</i> for his neighbour!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Oh, that one might plead for a man with God, As a man <i>pleads</i> for his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />That one might plead for a man with God As a son of man with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220O that a man might plead with God As a man with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“O that a man might plead with God As a man with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />O that a man might argue with God As a man with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Oh, that a man would mediate <i>and</i> plead with God [for me] Just as a man [mediates and pleads] with his neighbor <i>and</i> friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wish that someone might argue for a man with God just as anyone would for a friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wish that someone might arbitrate between a man and God just as a man pleads for his friend. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />to show that I am right, just as a friend should. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />That he would maintain the right of a man with God, and of a son of man with his neighbour!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But my witness will plead for a human in front of God. The Son of Man will plead for his friend!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I want someone to plead with God for me, as one pleads for a friend. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />crying for him to arbitrate between this man and God; as a human being does with his fellow neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He reasons for a man with God, "" As a son of man for his friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he reasoneth for a man with God, And a son of man for his friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall he judge for a man with God? and the son of man for his neighbor?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 16:22>And I wish that a man might be so judged before God, just as the son of man is judged with his assistant!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />That justice may be done for a mortal with God: as for a man with his neighbor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />that he would maintain the right of a mortal with God, as one does for a neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But, oh, that a son of man might blame God, as a man his neighbor!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />That He would set aright a man contending with God, As a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Oh that a man might plead before the Lord, even <i>as</i> the son of man with his neighbor!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/16-21.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=2594" 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/16.htm">Job Decries his Comforters</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: lə·ḡe·ḇer (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">Oh, that a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3198.htm" title="3198: wə·yō·w·ḵaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf.Jus-3ms) -- To decide, adjudge, prove. A primitive root; to be right; reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict.">might plead</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/433.htm" title="433: ’ĕ·lō·w·ah (N-ms) -- God, god. Probably prolonged From 'el; a deity or the Deity.">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇen- (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">as he pleads</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: lə·rê·‘ê·hū (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">with his neighbor!</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>For when only a few years are past I will go the way of no return.…<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="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Hebrews 7:25</a></span><br />Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-34.htm">Romans 8:34</a></span><br />Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-1.htm">1 John 2:1</a></span><br />My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a></span><br />Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a></span><br />For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26-27</a></span><br />In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. / And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-24.htm">Hebrews 9:24</a></span><br />For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-10.htm">1 John 4:10</a></span><br />And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16</a></span><br />And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-9.htm">John 17:9</a></span><br />I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-9.htm">Psalm 103:9</a></span><br />He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-16.htm">Isaiah 59:16</a></span><br />He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/30-21.htm">Jeremiah 30:21</a></span><br />Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/3-1.htm">Zechariah 3:1-5</a></span><br />Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?” / Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-23.htm">Psalm 106:23</a></span><br />So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!</p><p class="hdg">plead</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-34.htm">Job 9:34,35</a></b></br> Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-3.htm">Job 13:3,22</a></b></br> Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God… </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">neighbour.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/11-13.htm">Aright</a> <a href="/job/13-7.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/job/16-19.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Contending</a> <a href="/job/9-33.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/job/16-20.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/job/13-15.htm">Maintain</a> <a href="/job/12-4.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/job/12-4.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/job/13-19.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-15.htm">Pleadeth</a> <a href="/romans/11-2.htm">Pleads</a> <a href="/job/15-28.htm">Right</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Aright</a> <a href="/job/36-2.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/job/17-4.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Contending</a> <a href="/job/34-4.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/job/17-5.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/job/27-6.htm">Maintain</a> <a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/job/31-9.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/job/19-5.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-9.htm">Pleadeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">Pleads</a> <a href="/job/22-21.htm">Right</a><div class="vheading2">Job 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/16-1.htm">Job reproves his friends for unmercifulness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/16-17.htm">He maintains his innocence</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/16.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/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Oh, that a man might plead with God</b><br>This phrase reflects Job's deep desire for a mediator between himself and God. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is in the midst of intense suffering and is seeking an advocate who can present his case before God. This longing for a mediator foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>). The cultural context of the time often involved legal disputes being settled by a mediator, which Job is yearning for in his spiritual struggle.<p><b>as he pleads with his neighbor!</b><br>Here, Job is expressing a wish for the same level of direct and personal communication with God as one might have with a fellow human. In ancient Near Eastern culture, disputes were often resolved through direct dialogue and negotiation, emphasizing the relational aspect of justice. This phrase highlights Job's feeling of isolation and his desire for a personal relationship with God, akin to the interpersonal relationships he understands. It also points to the accessibility of God through Christ, who invites believers into a personal relationship with Him (<a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a>).<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, experiencing intense suffering and seeking understanding from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator, whom Job desires to plead his case before, seeking justice and understanding amidst his suffering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, believing his suffering is a result of sin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/heavenly_courtroom.htm">Heavenly Courtroom</a></b><br>The metaphorical setting where Job wishes to present his case before God, akin to a legal proceeding.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mediator.htm">Mediator</a></b><br>The concept of an intermediary who can plead on behalf of another, which Job longs for in his relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_a_mediator.htm">The Need for a Mediator</a></b><br>Job's desire for someone to plead his case before God highlights the human need for a mediator. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills this role, bridging the gap between humanity and God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_suffering.htm">Understanding Suffering</a></b><br>Job's plea reflects the struggle to understand suffering. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when His ways are beyond our understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intercessory_prayer.htm">Intercessory Prayer</a></b><br>Just as Job wished for someone to intercede for him, Christians are called to intercede for others in prayer, bringing their needs before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_friends_in_suffering.htm">The Role of Friends in Suffering</a></b><br>Job's friends failed to provide true comfort. This teaches us the importance of offering compassionate support rather than judgment to those who are suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_justice.htm">Faith in God's Justice</a></b><br>Job's confidence in pleading his case before God demonstrates faith in divine justice. Believers are encouraged to trust that God will ultimately bring justice and vindication.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job's_story_historically_accurate.htm">Is Job's story historically accurate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/job_32_16-22__later_insertion_clues.htm">Job 32:16-22 - Are there any textual or historical clues suggesting this chapter might be a later insertion, potentially creating inconsistencies within the book?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_clairvoyance.htm">What does 'born to trouble' signify in Job 5:7?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_lot_seen_as_righteous_biblically.htm">Is Ishmael metaphorically a wild donkey of a man?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Oh that one might plead for a man with God!</span> The original here is obscure. It may mean, <span class="accented">Oh that he</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> God himself) <span class="accented">would plead for a man with God! i.e.</span> would become a Mediator between himself and man, plead for him, undertake his defence, and obtain for him merciful consideration. Or, nearly as in the Authorized Version, <span class="accented">Oh that one might plead for man</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> mankind at large) <span class="accented">with God!</span> interest him on their behalf, and obtain a merciful judgment for them. The former rendering is to be preferred. <span class="cmt_word">As a man pleadeth for his neighbour</span>; literally, <span class="accented">as a son of man</span> (or, as <span class="accented">the Son of man</span>) <span class="accented">pleadeth for his neighbour.</span> If we take the simpler rendering, "as a son of man," then the meaning is simply, "Oh that God would plead for man with himself, as a man is wont to plead for his fellow-man!" But if we prefer the other rendering, "as the Son of man," a Messianic interpretation will be necessary. (So Professor Lee and Dr. Stanley Leathes) But Messianic interpretations of passages that do not require them, and that have no such traditional interpretation, require extreme caution. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/16-21.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">Oh, that a man</span><br /><span class="heb">לְגֶ֣בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḡe·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">might plead</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיוֹכַ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yō·w·ḵaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3198.htm">Strong's 3198: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<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">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱל֑וֹהַּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·w·ah)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_433.htm">Strong's 433: </a> </span><span class="str2">God -- a deity, the Deity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as [he] [pleads]</span><br /><span class="heb">וּֽבֶן־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with his neighbor!</span><br /><span class="heb">לְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/16-21.htm">Job 16:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/16-21.htm">OT Poetry: Job 16:21 That he would maintain the right (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/16-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 16:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 16:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/16-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 16:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 16:22" /></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>