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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 23:3 If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/23-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/18_Job_23_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 23:3 - Job Longs for God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/23-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/23-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe 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/23-2.htm" title="Job 23:2">◄</a> Job 23:3 <a href="/job/23-4.htm" title="Job 23:4">►</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/23.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/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find him! <i>that</i> I might come <i>even</i> to his seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, <i>That</i> I might come to His seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Oh that I knew how to find Him, That I might come to His home!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might [even] come to His seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only I knew how to find him, so that I could go to his throne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only I knew how to find Him, so that I could go to His throne. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If I knew where to find God, I would go there <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If only I knew where I could find God! I would go where he lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How I wish I knew where to find him, and knew how to go where he is. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If only I knew where to find him, I would visit him where he has taken his seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />O that I knew where I might find him, that I could come to his place of residence! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find him. That I might come even to his seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />O that I had known—and I find Him, "" I come to His seat,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> O that I had known -- and I find Him, I come in unto His seat,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who will give, I knew to find him: I will come even to his place.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and that I may approach even to his throne?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Would that I knew how to find him, that I might come to his dwelling! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But who makes it possible for me to arrive unto his seat?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come even to His seat!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Who would then know that I might find him, and come to an end <i>of the matter</i>?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/23-3.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=3552" 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/23.htm">Job Longs for God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interjection) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">If only</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">I knew</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: wə·’em·ṣā·’ê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-1cs:: 3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">where to find Him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ’ā·ḇō·w (V-Qal-Imperf.h-1cs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">so that I could go</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/8499.htm" title="8499: tə·ḵū·nā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From kuwn; or probably ident. With tkuwnah; something arranged or fixed, i.e. A place.">His seat.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.…<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/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. / My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/63-1.htm">Psalm 63:1</a></span><br />A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a></span><br />You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29</a></span><br />But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/27-4.htm">Psalm 27:4</a></span><br />One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/84-2.htm">Psalm 84:2</a></span><br />My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-6.htm">Psalm 143:6</a></span><br />I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-25.htm">Lamentations 3:25</a></span><br />The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a></span><br />Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a></span><br />Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-23.htm">John 4:23-24</a></span><br />But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27</a></span><br />God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!</p><p class="hdg">Oh that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-3.htm">Job 13:3</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/16-21.htm">Job 16:21</a></b></br> O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man <i>pleadeth</i> for his neighbour!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/40-1.htm">Job 40:1-5</a></b></br> Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, … </p><p class="hdg">where</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6,7</a></b></br> Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/5-19.htm">2 Corinthians 5:19,20</a></b></br> To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/4-6.htm">Hebrews 4:6</a></b></br> Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:</p><p class="hdg">that I might</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35-37</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><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/21-28.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/job/22-26.htm">Find</a> <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Seat</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/38-19.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/job/23-5.htm">Find</a> <a href="/job/26-9.htm">Seat</a><div class="vheading2">Job 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-1.htm">Job longs to appear before God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-6.htm">in confidence of his mercy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-8.htm">God, who is invisible, observes our ways</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-11.htm">Job's innocence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-13.htm">God's decree is immutable</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/23.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/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If only I knew where to find Him</b><br>This phrase reflects Job's deep desire for a personal encounter with God. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is in the midst of intense suffering and is seeking answers from God. This longing to find God is a common theme throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/psalms/42.htm">Psalm 42:1</a>, where the psalmist expresses a thirst for God. Theologically, this reflects the human condition of seeking divine presence and understanding, a theme that resonates with the idea of God being both transcendent and immanent. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern context often depicted gods as distant, yet Job's yearning suggests a personal relationship with the divine, which is a distinctive feature of the Hebrew faith.<p><b>so that I could go to His seat</b><br>The "seat" here refers to a place of judgment or authority, akin to a throne. In ancient cultures, a king's seat was where he rendered judgments and decrees. Job's desire to approach God's seat indicates his wish to present his case before God, seeking justice and vindication. This imagery is consistent with the biblical portrayal of God as a righteous judge, as seen in <a href="/psalms/9-7.htm">Psalm 9:7-8</a>. Theologically, this foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Christ as the ultimate judge (<a href="/john/5-22.htm">John 5:22</a>), who invites believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence (<a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a>). The concept of God's seat also connects to the mercy seat in the tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt, symbolizing both judgment and mercy.<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 of God's ways.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, whom Job is earnestly seeking to find and present his case before. Job's desire to find God reflects his deep yearning for divine justice and understanding.<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 play a significant role in the surrounding chapters, offering explanations for Job's suffering that he finds unsatisfactory.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>Implicit in Job's desire to go to God's "seat" is the imagery of a divine courtroom where justice is administered.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_uz.htm">The Land of Uz</a></b><br>The setting of Job's account, a place of ancient wisdom and prosperity, now a backdrop to Job's trials and dialogues.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_deep_yearning_for_god.htm">The Deep Yearning for God</a></b><br>Job's cry reveals a profound desire to connect with God, reminding us of the innate human longing for divine presence and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_mystery_of_god's_ways.htm">The Mystery of God's Ways</a></b><br>Job's struggle highlights the mystery of God's ways, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom even when His plans are not clear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god.htm">The Importance of Seeking God</a></b><br>Job's determination to find God underscores the importance of diligently seeking the Lord, especially in times of trial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/approaching_god_with_honesty.htm">Approaching God with Honesty</a></b><br>Job's candid expression of his feelings teaches us to approach God honestly, bringing our doubts and questions before Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_the_midst_of_suffering.htm">Faith in the Midst of Suffering</a></b><br>Despite his suffering, Job's faith drives him to seek God, serving as an example of perseverance and trust in God's ultimate justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_argue_with_a_silent_god.htm">How can Job’s claim in Job 23:3-5 that he would argue his case directly before God be reconciled with a supposedly omnipresent deity who remains silent? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_unquenchable_fire.htm">How does Job remain faithful amidst immense suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job_23_historically_or_literarily_based.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological basis to confirm the existence of Job or the context described in Job 23, or is it purely a literary construct? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_pilate_hesitant_to_sentence_jesus.htm">Why does Pilate, a known ruthless governor, appear unusually hesitant in sentencing Jesus?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(</span>3<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">Oh that I knew where I might find him.</span>--The piteous complaint of a man who feels that God is with him for chastisement, but not for healing.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Oh that I knew where I might find him!</span> This is the cry of the desolate human soul, feeling its need of God, and yet not knowing how to approach him. God seems to be very far removed from us. He is in heaven, and we are on earth; nay, he is in the highest heaven, or outside it, walking on its circumference (<a href="/job/22-14.htm">Job 22:14</a>). How are we to approach near to him, so near as to be sure that he can hear us? How are we to "find" him? So, in all ages, has the human heart gone out to God, aspiring towards him, seeking after him, but, for the most part, baffled and disappointed. Job, like most other men in the olden times, though he has faith in God, though he serves him and prays to him, has yet the feeling that he is remote, distant, well-nigh inaccessible. It needed revelation to let man know that God is not far off, but very near to each one of us; that "in him we live, and move, and have our being" (<a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Acts 17:28</a>). <span class="cmt_word">That I might come even to his seat!</span> Job's idea of bridging the distance between himself and God is that he should rise to the region where God is, not that God should condescend to come down to him. He wishes to "come to God's seat" - to that awful throne in the heaven of heavens, where God sitteth, surrounded by his hosts of angels, dealing out justice and judgment to mortal men (comp. <a href="/psalms/9-4.htm">Psalm 9:4, 7</a>; <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Psalm 11:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/45-6.htm">Psalm 45:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/6-1.htm">Isaiah 6:1</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/23-3.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 only</span><br /><span class="heb">מִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(mî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<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">I knew</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭דַעְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where to find Him,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’em·ṣā·’ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that I could go</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֝ב֗וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His seat.</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּכוּנָתֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḵū·nā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8499.htm">Strong's 8499: </a> </span><span class="str2">Arrangement, preparation, fixed place</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/23-3.htm">OT Poetry: Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/23-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 23:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 23:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/23-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 23:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 23:4" /></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>