Job 23 1

Job 23:1 kjv

Then Job answered and said,

Job 23:1 nkjv

Then Job answered and said:

Job 23:1 niv

Then Job replied:

Job 23:1 esv

Then Job answered and said:

Job 23:1 nlt

Then Job spoke again:

Job 23 verses

Job 23 1 Meaning

Job 23:1 introduces the beginning of Job’s profound response to Eliphaz’s third speech (Job 22). It signifies a shift in the discourse, where Job, despite the relentless accusations of his friends, prepares to articulate his unwavering belief in his own righteousness and his longing to directly appeal to God for vindication. This verse marks the continuation of Job's struggle and his deep desire for an audience with the Almighty, highlighting his persistent faith amid immense suffering.

Job 23 1 Context

Job 23:1 serves as a crucial transitional marker in the book of Job, introducing Job's response to Eliphaz's final major speech (Job 22). In Job 22, Eliphaz directly accuses Job of various sins, including oppressing the poor and neglecting the needy, urging him to repent to be restored by God. Job 23:1 then signals Job's passionate, if sometimes despairing, refusal to accept these accusations. The broader context of the book presents a grand poetic debate between Job and his three friends on the nature of divine justice and suffering. This verse sets the stage for Job's continued assertion of his innocence, his deep desire for a personal encounter with God to plead his case, and his unwavering trust in God's ultimate justice despite his present pain and the misguided counsel of his companions.

Job 23 1 Word analysis

• Then (וַיַּעַן - vayya‘an - "and he answered"):
  • This opening conjunction marks a sequence, indicating that what follows is a direct reaction to the preceding speech by Eliphaz.
  • It signals a new phase in the dialogue, underscoring the ongoing nature of the debate between Job and his friends.
  • It connects Job’s current statement to the accusations laid against him, setting the tone for his rebuttal.
• Job (אִיּוֹב - ʼIyyôḇ - "Job"):
  • Refers to the central character, a righteous man enduring profound, inexplicable suffering.
  • His name itself, thought to mean "persecuted" or "object of hostility," highlights his experience.
  • By mentioning Job directly, the verse re-establishes him as the speaker, emphasizing the deeply personal nature of his response.
• answered (וַיַּעַן - vayya‘an - "and he answered" - used here to analyze the root meaning, though it is the same word as "Then"):
  • The Hebrew verb עָנָה (ʽanah) means "to answer, respond, testify." It signifies not merely a reply but often a formal or deliberate retort, frequently used in contexts of debate or legal proceedings.
  • This implies Job is directly addressing the points made by Eliphaz, seeking to justify himself or counter the arguments.
  • It points to Job’s persistence in dialogue, refusing to be silenced by the condemnations of his friends.
• and (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyo’mer - "and he said"):
  • This conjunctive "and" simply connects the two actions of answering and speaking.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyo’mer - "and he said"):
  • The Hebrew verb אָמַר (ʼamar) means "to say, speak, declare."
  • While similar to "answered," "said" focuses on the content of the verbal utterance itself.
  • Together, "answered and said" is a common biblical idiom (like a hendiadys), emphasizing the delivery of a verbal response. It’s a standard way to introduce direct speech in ancient Hebrew narrative and poetic contexts.

Words-group analysis

• Then Job answered: This phrase immediately centers the focus on Job as the respondent. It shows his resolve to not simply absorb the criticism but to actively engage with it. Given the harshness of Eliphaz’s previous words, Job's act of answering here underscores his unyielding spirit and his profound spiritual anguish.
• and said: This addition serves to formally introduce Job’s forthcoming speech. It reinforces the dialogical structure of the book, framing the following chapters as Job’s direct communication in the ongoing debate about divine justice, human suffering, and the nature of righteousness. It signals that important truths or expressions of deep emotion are about to be conveyed.

Job 23 1 Bonus section

The seemingly simple phrase "Then Job answered and said" encapsulates a vital aspect of the book of Job: the continuous human desire to understand divine ways, especially in times of inexplicable suffering. The repeated use of this introductory formula for Job and his friends throughout the book (e.g., Job 6:1, 9:1, 12:1) emphasizes the extended, arduous nature of their debate. It highlights the persistence of Job’s faith even in distress, as he chooses to continue to speak and appeal, rather than remain silent in despair or surrender to the superficial explanations of his friends. This verse is thus not just a literary bridge, but a quiet affirmation of Job's enduring commitment to seeking truth and vindication from God, his ultimate court of appeal.

Job 23 1 Commentary

Job 23:1 is a concise yet pivotal verse. Functioning primarily as a transitional marker, "Then Job answered and said" signals the initiation of Job's profound and moving fifth discourse (Job 23-24), or what some consider the start of the final cycle of speeches (Job 23-31). Following Eliphaz’s accusatory final address in Job 22, this verse introduces Job's resolute refusal to accept guilt and his continued yearning for an audience with God. It sets the stage for Job to passionately articulate his conviction of innocence and his deep, even desperate, longing for God's presence, highlighting the theological tension between human suffering and divine justice that defines the book. This verse simply announces that Job has not given up his argument and remains steadfast in seeking an explanation from the Almighty himself, not from his misinformed companions.