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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 19:23 I wish that my words were recorded and inscribed in a book,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/19-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/18_Job_19_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 19:23 - Job: My Redeemer Lives" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I wish that my words were recorded and inscribed in a book," /><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/19-23.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/19-23.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/19.htm">Chapter 19</a> > Verse 23</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/19-22.htm" title="Job 19:22">◄</a> Job 19:23 <a href="/job/19-24.htm" title="Job 19:24">►</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/19.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/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wish that my words were recorded and inscribed in a book,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were recorded in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Oh, that the words I now speak were written! Oh, that they were recorded in a scroll!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wish that my words were written down, that they were recorded on a scroll<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wish that my words were written down, that they were recorded on a scroll <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I wish that my words could be written down <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I wish now my words were written. I wish they were inscribed on a scroll.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How I wish that someone would remember my words and record them in a book! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If only my words were written down; if only they were inscribed in a book<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wish that my words were recorded and inscribed in a book,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"O that my words were written down, O that they were written on a scroll, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Oh that my words were now written. Oh that they were inscribed in a scroll.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Who grants now, that my words may be written? Who grants that they may be inscribed in a scroll?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Who doth grant now, That my words may be written? Who doth grant that in a book they may be graven?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who will give now, and my words shall be written? who will give and they shall be delineated in a book?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who will grant to me that my words may be written down? Who will grant to me that they may be inscribed in a book,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a scroll!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But, oh Creator, that my words were written and inscribed in a scroll<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For oh that my words were written, and that they were recorded in a book forever,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/19-23.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=2948" 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/19.htm">Job: My Redeemer Lives</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>Why do you persecute me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? <span class="reftext">23</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.">I wish</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/645.htm" title="645: ’ê·p̄ōw (Conj) -- Then. Or hephowe; from poh; strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4405.htm" title="4405: mil·lāy (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- A word, speech, utterance. From malal">that my words</a> <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."></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/3789.htm" title="3789: wə·yik·kā·ṯə·ḇūn (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjImperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">were recorded</a> <a href="/hebrew/2710.htm" title="2710: wə·yu·ḥā·qū (Conj-w:: V-Hofal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To cut in, inscribe, decree. A primitive root; properly, to hack, i.e. Engrave; by implication, to enact or Prescribe.">and inscribed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: bas·sê·p̄er (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book.">in a book,</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>by an iron stylus on lead, or chiseled in stone forever.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Isaiah 30:8</a></span><br />Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/30-2.htm">Jeremiah 30:2</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-19.htm">Deuteronomy 31:19</a></span><br />Now therefore, write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that it may be a witness for Me against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm">Isaiah 8:1</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-2.htm">Habakkuk 2:2</a></span><br />Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-18.htm">Psalm 102:18</a></span><br />Let this be written for the generation to come, so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/36-2.htm">Jeremiah 36:2</a></span><br />“Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Isaiah 30:8</a></span><br />Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-63.htm">Luke 1:63</a></span><br />Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-31.htm">John 20:31</a></span><br />But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a></span><br />For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16</a></span><br />All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-19.htm">Revelation 1:19</a></span><br />Therefore write down the things you have seen, the things that are, and the things that will happen after this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-5.htm">Revelation 21:5</a></span><br />And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!</p><p class="hdg">Oh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35</a></b></br> Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire <i>is, that</i> the Almighty would answer me, and <i>that</i> mine adversary had written a book.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm">Isaiah 8:1</a></b></br> Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Isaiah 30:8</a></b></br> Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/10-2.htm">Book</a> <a href="/job/13-20.htm">Grant</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-10.htm">Inscribed</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Printed</a> <a href="/esther/10-2.htm">Recorded</a> <a href="/ezra/6-2.htm">Scroll</a> <a href="/job/19-2.htm">Words</a> <a href="/esther/9-32.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/esther/10-2.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Book</a> <a href="/psalms/20-2.htm">Grant</a> <a href="/job/19-24.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/job/19-24.htm">Inscribed</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Printed</a> <a href="/psalms/40-7.htm">Recorded</a> <a href="/psalms/40-7.htm">Scroll</a> <a href="/job/21-2.htm">Words</a> <a href="/psalms/87-6.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/job/31-35.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Job 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/19-1.htm">Job, complaining of his friends' cruelty, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/19-6.htm">shows there is misery enough in him to feed their cruelty</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/19-21.htm">He craves pity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/19-23.htm">He believes the resurrection</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/19.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/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I wish that my words were recorded</b><br>This phrase reflects Job's deep desire for his experiences and declarations to be permanently documented. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oral tradition was prevalent, but written records were considered more enduring and authoritative. Job's longing for his words to be recorded suggests a hope for vindication and a lasting testimony of his integrity and suffering. This desire for permanence can be seen as a foreshadowing of the written Scriptures, which serve as a lasting record of God's revelation and human experience.<p><b>and inscribed in a book,</b><br>The mention of a "book" indicates the importance of written documentation in ancient times, where inscribing on materials like clay tablets or papyrus was a way to preserve important information. This reflects the cultural practice of recording significant events and legal matters in written form. Theologically, this can be connected to the concept of the "Book of Life" mentioned in Revelation, where the names of the righteous are recorded. Job's wish for his words to be inscribed suggests a yearning for his story to be remembered and understood by future generations, much like the enduring nature of the biblical text itself.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this verse, Job expresses a deep desire for his words to be permanently recorded.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/friends_of_job.htm">Friends of Job</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Job's friends play a significant role in the surrounding chapters, often misunderstanding and misrepresenting Job's situation and character.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and redeemer whom Job seeks to vindicate him. Job's plea for his words to be recorded reflects his hope in God's justice.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_near_east.htm">Ancient Near East</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of the Book of Job, where oral traditions were often recorded on scrolls or tablets for posterity.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/suffering_and_redemption.htm">Suffering and Redemption</a></b><br>The broader theme of the Book of Job, exploring the nature of suffering and the hope of redemption and vindication.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_desire_for_vindication.htm">The Desire for Vindication</a></b><br>Job's longing for his words to be recorded reflects a deep human desire for truth and justice to be acknowledged. In our own lives, we can trust that God sees and knows our struggles, even when others misunderstand us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_written_word.htm">The Power of the Written Word</a></b><br>The act of recording words signifies their importance and permanence. As Christians, we are reminded of the enduring power of Scripture and the importance of preserving God's truth in our hearts and lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_justice.htm">Hope in God's Justice</a></b><br>Job's plea is ultimately rooted in his hope for divine justice. We can find comfort in knowing that God is just and will ultimately vindicate His people, even if it is not in our timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_amidst_suffering.htm">Faith Amidst Suffering</a></b><br>Job's faith, despite his suffering, challenges us to maintain our trust in God during difficult times. Our trials can deepen our reliance on God and strengthen our testimony.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_being_called_by_god_mean.htm">Is death the last enemy to be destroyed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_view_evil.htm">How does the Bible explain evil and suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job_6_2-3_literal_or_metaphorical.htm">In Job 6:2-3, does the claim that Job's grief outweighs the sand of the seas present a literal impossibility or exaggerated metaphor?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Oh that my words were now written</span>!--Some understand this to refer to the words he is about to utter; by others they are interpreted generally. The former view is probably owing to the Christian acceptation given to them, and the consequently great importance attaching to them. Since, however, the three verses, <a href="/context/job/19-25.htm" title="For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth:">Job 19:25-27</a>, are manifestly more emphatic than any he has yet spoken, though they do not stand quite alone, there is no reason why it should not be especially these very words which he desires more than any others to have recorded. Perhaps the "now" = <span class= "ital">here </span>shows this.<p><span class= "bld">Oh that they were printed.</span>--This points us to primitive time, when writing materials and the use of writing involved more or less of <span class= "ital">engraving, </span>as, for instance, in later times was the case with tablets of wax.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Oh that my words were written!</span> It is questioned what words of his Job is so anxious to have committed to writing - those that precede the expression of the wish, or those that follow, or both. As there is nothing that is very remarkable in the preceding words, whereas the latter are among the most striking in the book, the general opinion has been that he refers to these last. It is now universally allowed, even by those whose date for Job is the most remote, that books were common long before his time, and so that he might naturally have been familiar with them. Writing is, of course, even anterior to books, and was certainly in use before <span class="date">B.C. 2000</span>. The earliest writing was probably on stone or brick, and was perhaps in every case hieroglyphical. When writing on papyrus, or parchment, or the bark of trees, came into use, a cursive character soon superseded the hieroglyphical, though the latter continued In be employed for religious purposes, and for inscriptions on stone. <span class="cmt_word">Oh that they were printed in a book!</span> rather, <span class="accented">inscribed</span>, or <span class="accented">engraved.</span> The impression of the characters below the surface of the writing material, as in the Babylonian and Assyrian clay-tablets, seems to be pointed at. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/19-23.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">I wish</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">that my words</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלָּ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(mil·lāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4405.htm">Strong's 4405: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a discourse, a topic</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were recorded</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִכָּתְב֣וּן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yik·kā·ṯə·ḇūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and inscribed</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיֻחָֽקוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yu·ḥā·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2710.htm">Strong's 2710: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hack, engrave, to enact, prescribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in a book,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּסֵּ֣פֶר</span> <span class="translit">(bas·sê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5612.htm">Strong's 5612: </a> </span><span class="str2">A missive, document, writing, book</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/19-23.htm">Job 19:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/19-23.htm">OT Poetry: Job 19:23 Oh that my words were now written! (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/19-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 19:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 19:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/19-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 19:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 19:24" /></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>