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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 23:8 If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/23-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/18_Job_23_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 23:8 - Job Longs for God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him." /><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/23-8.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/23-8.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 8</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="/ad8.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/23-7.htm" title="Job 23:7">◄</a> Job 23:8 <a href="/job/23-9.htm" title="Job 23:9">►</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 />&#8220But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I go forward, but he <i>is</i> not <i>there</i>; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Look, I go forward, but He is not <i>there,</i> And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, I go forward but He is not <i>there,</i> And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Behold, I go forward but He is not <i>there,</i> And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Behold, I go forward but He is not <i>there</i>, And backward, but I cannot discern Him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there; I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I go east, he is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I cannot find God anywhere--in front or back of me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />However, if I go east, he isn't there. If I go west, I can't find him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have searched in the East, but God is not there; I have not found him when I searched in the West. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Look! If I go east, he isn't there! If I go to the west, I don't perceive him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If I go east, he is not there. If I go west, I can’t find him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, I go forward—and He is not, "" And backward—and I do not perceive Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, forward I go -- and He is not, And backward -- and I perceive him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, I shall go before, and he is not; and behind, I shall not understand for him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If I go to the east, he does not appear; if I go to the west, I will not understand him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if I go east, he is not there; or west, I cannot perceive him; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, if he goes before me, I know not; or behind, I cannot perceive him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If he goes before me I do not know, or from behind him I do not perceive him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For if I shall go first, and exist no longer, still what do I know <i>concerning</i> the latter end?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/23-8.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=3580" 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">7</span>Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ’e·hĕ·lōḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">I go</a> <a href="/hebrew/6924.htm" title="6924: qe·ḏem (N-ms) -- The front, of place, time. Or qedmah; from qadam; the front, of place or time; often used adverbially.">east,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ê·nen·nū (Conj-w:: Adv:: 3ms) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">He is not there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/268.htm" title="268: wə·’ā·ḥō·wr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- The hind side, back part. Or achor; from Achiyra'; the hinder part; hence behind, backward; also the West.">and if I go west,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: ’ā·ḇîn (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">find</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">Him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.…<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/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-10</a></span><br />Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? / If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. / If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23-24</a></span><br />“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” / “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.<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/10-1.htm">Psalm 10:1</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Psalm 77:6-9</a></span><br />At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered: / “Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-44.htm">Lamentations 3:44</a></span><br />You have covered Yourself with a cloud that no prayer can pass through.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-15.htm">Isaiah 45:15</a></span><br />Truly You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-17.htm">Deuteronomy 31:17-18</a></span><br />On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? / I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a></span><br />About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-14.htm">John 20:14-15</a></span><br />When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus. / “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-15.htm">Luke 24:15-16</a></span><br />And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. / But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.<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">Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-11.htm">Job 9:11</a></b></br> Lo, he goeth by me, and I see <i>him</i> not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-1.htm">Psalm 10:1</a></b></br> Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? <i>why</i> hidest thou <i>thyself</i> in times of trouble?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/13-1.htm">Psalm 13:1-3</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/job/18-20.htm">East</a> <a href="/job/23-5.htm">Find</a> <a href="/job/13-22.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/job/23-5.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/job/18-20.htm">West</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/9-3.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/job/27-21.htm">East</a> <a href="/job/27-10.htm">Find</a> <a href="/job/30-13.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/job/33-14.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/psalms/75-6.htm">West</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 I go east, He is not there</b><br>In this passage, Job expresses his deep sense of God's absence during his suffering. The east, often associated with the rising sun, symbolizes the beginning of new opportunities or hope. Job's search for God in the east reflects his desire for a fresh encounter with God, yet he feels abandoned. This sentiment echoes <a href="/psalms/139-9.htm">Psalm 139:9-10</a>, where the psalmist acknowledges God's omnipresence, contrasting Job's current experience. Theologically, this highlights the struggle of faith during trials, where God's presence seems elusive despite His omnipresence.<p><b>and if I go west, I cannot find Him</b><br>The west, associated with the setting sun, can symbolize the end of a journey or the conclusion of a day. Job's inability to find God in the west suggests a sense of finality and despair, as if all avenues to reach God have been exhausted. This reflects the cultural understanding of God's transcendence and the human struggle to comprehend His ways, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than human understanding. Job's lament foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's presence and justice, pointing to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ, who promises to be with His followers always (<a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</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 of God's ways.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The omnipresent and omniscient Creator, whose ways and presence Job is earnestly seeking to understand amidst his trials.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/east_and_west.htm">East and West</a></b><br>Directions symbolizing the entirety of Job's search for God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, these directions often represented the full scope of one's experience or journey.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_god's_presence.htm">The Reality of God's Presence</a></b><br>Even when we feel God is absent, His presence is a constant reality. Our feelings do not dictate His nearness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_mystery_of_god's_ways.htm">The Mystery of God's Ways</a></b><br>God's ways are often beyond our understanding. Trusting in His wisdom is crucial, especially when we cannot trace His hand.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_seeking_god.htm">Perseverance in Seeking God</a></b><br>Like Job, we must continue to seek God earnestly, even when He seems distant. Our pursuit is an act of faith and devotion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_times_of_silence.htm">Faith in Times of Silence</a></b><br>Silence from God does not equate to His absence. Our faith is tested and refined in these moments of perceived silence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_god's_omnipresence.htm">The Assurance of God's Omnipresence</a></b><br>Scriptures affirm that God is everywhere, and His presence is not limited by our perception or understanding.<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/does_job_23_8-9_conflict_with_god's_omnipresence.htm">If Job 23:8-9 insists God is nowhere to be found, does this conflict with the broader biblical teaching that God is always present? </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/how_to_believe_in_god_without_feeling_him.htm">How can I believe in Christianity when I don’t feel God’s presence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_christians_feel_distant_from_god.htm">Why do many Christians feel distant from God even when they pray and follow His commands?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 8, 9.</span> - Here Job returns to the complaint of ver. 3. He cannot "find" God. God hides himself. It is in vain that he searches on every side. There is no manifestation, no open vision. Nothing, however, leads him to doubt God's existence, or even his presence where he is unperceived. "Job's conviction of God's absolute presence comes out most strongly when he feels that he cannot discern him" (Cook). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Behold, I go forward, but he is not there</span>; that is, "He is not there to my <span class="accented">perceptions</span>." I may believe it, but I have no sensible proof of it, and I cannot demonstrate it. <span class="cmt_word">And backward, but I cannot perceive him</span>. In describing locality, the Hebrews, Arabs, and Orientals generally always imagined themselves to be looking eastward, facing the rising sun. Hence the same word is used for" in front," "forwards," and "the east;" for "behind," "backwards," and "the west;" for "the left hand" and "the north;" for "the right hand" and "the south." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/23-8.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">הֵ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I go</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶהֱלֹ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·hĕ·lōḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">east,</span><br /><span class="heb">קֶ֣דֶם</span> <span class="translit">(qe·ḏem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6924.htm">Strong's 6924: </a> </span><span class="str2">The front, of place, time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He is not there,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê·nen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and if I go west,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝אָח֗וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·ḥō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hinder part, behind, backward, the West</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">find</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him.</span><br /><span class="heb">לֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/23-8.htm">OT Poetry: Job 23:8 If I go east he is not (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/23-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 23:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 23:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/23-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 23:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 23:9" /></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>