Job 9 35

Job 9:35 kjv

Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.

Job 9:35 nkjv

Then I would speak and not fear Him, But it is not so with me.

Job 9:35 niv

Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.

Job 9:35 esv

Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in myself.

Job 9:35 nlt

Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.

Job 9 verses

Job 9 35 Meaning

Job 9:35 expresses Job's fervent wish for a mediator, a neutral arbiter, between himself and God. He longs to speak freely and present his case without the overwhelming fear and dread induced by God's infinite power and holy majesty. The current situation, Job believes, prevents a fair hearing because he is not on equal footing with God, implying a profound chasm that hinders direct and unhindered communication.

Job 9 35 Context

Job 9:35 is part of Job's profound and desperate response to Bildad's speech (Job 8). Throughout chapter 9, Job acknowledges God's immense power, sovereignty, and justice, yet simultaneously laments his inability to stand before such a being to contend his case. He sees God as overwhelmingly mighty (Job 9:4-10), swift and unpredictable in judgment (Job 9:11-13), and beyond human comprehension (Job 9:11). Job feels that God unjustly afflicts him and does not hear his cries (Job 9:15-18). His lament deepens, expressing that even if he were righteous, God would not listen (Job 9:20-21), making all efforts futile. The prevailing context is Job's overwhelming sense of injustice and his despair over the chasm between himself, a frail human, and the all-powerful, mysterious God who he perceives as an antagonist in his suffering. This verse crystallizes his longing for a third party to bridge that infinite gap, allowing him a fair hearing without being annihilated by divine wrath or simply ignored due to His supreme might. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, human kings held absolute power, making true impartiality impossible when they were also the offended party; thus, the concept of a truly neutral judge or mediator in such circumstances was deeply desired, mirroring Job's plea concerning the divine King.

Job 9 35 Word analysis

• Then: Hebrew: וְאָז (vəʾāz). This conjunction marks a logical consequence, introducing Job's hypothetical wish following his extended discourse on God's incomprehensible power and unapproachable justice. It signals a conclusion drawn from his prior expressions of dread and futility in confronting God directly.
• I: Refers to Job himself. This pronoun emphasizes Job's personal predicament and his profound, individual yearning for a fair trial before God, a trial he feels is impossible in his current state.
• would speak: Hebrew: אֲדַבֵּר (ʾăḏabbēr). This word denotes not just casual talking but speaking with purpose, such as in a formal accusation, defense, or argument in a court setting. Job desires to present his case articulately and without reservation, free from coercion.
• and not fear Him: Hebrew: וְלֹא אִירָא (wəlōʾ ʾîrāʾ), from the root יָרֵא (yareʾ), meaning 'to fear,' 'to stand in awe of,' 'to dread.' Job's deep respect and terror of God's overwhelming power, holiness, and potentially unjust judgments (from his perspective) currently paralyze him, preventing an open and honest dialogue. This 'fear' is an insurmountable barrier to seeking justice. He desires to speak without this hindering dread.
• for: Hebrew: כִּי (kî). This particle functions as a causal conjunction, introducing the reason for Job's desire to speak without fear. It clarifies why the current situation necessitates an arbiter.
• not: Hebrew: אֵינֶנּוּ (ʾênennû). This word signifies negation, "He is not" or "it is not."
• so is it: The full phrase in Hebrew is אֵינֶנּוּ כֵן עִמָּדִי (ʾênennû kēn ʿimmāḏî), which literally translates to "He is not so with me" or "it is not so with me." The "so" (כֵן, kēn) here implies "in this way" or "on these terms." It means Job feels there is no parity, no balance, no equal ground or relationship established between God and himself that would allow him to present his case fairly and without crippling terror. He perceives an imbalance of power so great that any attempt at legal contention would be futile or fatal. This reveals the perceived chasm between finite humanity and an infinite, all-powerful God, highlighting humanity's utter powerlessness before divine might without divine condescension or a divinely appointed mediator. This perception of God, though incomplete, drives his longing.
• with me: Hebrew: עִמָּדִי (ʿimmāḏî). This refers to the relational aspect. Job lacks the appropriate relationship or standing with God to engage in a true legal contest as he would with a human peer. The presence of God is a source of overwhelming terror, not a supportive partner in seeking justice.

• "Then I would speak and not fear Him": This phrase encapsulates Job's deep yearning for equitable interaction with God. It expresses his desire to break free from the paralysis of fear caused by God's terrifying majesty, so he might freely and truthfully express his complaints and defend his perceived innocence. This longing for fearless communication underscores the spiritual agony of someone who feels alienated and crushed by divine power, believing that honesty before God risks immediate judgment.
• "for not so is it with me": This explains why the above desire is so profound. It underscores Job's current, desperate reality: he perceives no balanced relationship, no basis for a fair or unhindered legal dispute with God. He feels he cannot confront God on anything resembling equal terms, where human pleas might be weighed fairly without being overshadowed by God's infinite authority and might. This confession reveals his despair over the apparent imbalance of justice and power between a finite, suffering human and an infinite, all-sovereign God, pointing to humanity's inherent need for a means of approaching the transcendent Holy One.

Job 9 35 Bonus section

Job's plea for a mediator is a foundational moment in Old Testament theology. It articulate humanity's inability to reconcile itself to God on its own terms and highlights the necessary bridge required for a just and fearful man to approach the Holy Creator. The absence of such a figure is the ultimate despair for Job, reinforcing the chasm created by sin and divine transcendence. His desire points to an underlying biblical truth: God's justice is perfect, but humans are not, necessitating an intercessor to bridge the gap. While Job did not know this mediator by name, his earnest plea echoes through the centuries, preparing hearts for the perfect intercessor found only in Christ.

Job 9 35 Commentary

Job 9:35 reveals Job's ultimate frustration and desperation. Having asserted God's omnipotence and unassailable justice, Job confronts the agonizing paradox: how can a human, inherently sinful and powerless, argue for innocence against an all-powerful, holy God who he perceives to be his adversary? This verse is a poignant cry for a middle-man, a third party (often termed an "umpire," "mediator," or "daysman" in older translations) who could stand between Job and God, place a hand on both, and ensure a fair and impartial hearing. Job’s fear of God is not reverential awe alone, but a paralyzing dread, born from the belief that God is overwhelming him without cause. The current reality, "not so is it with me," emphasizes his feeling of utter disparity: he cannot contend with God as one would an equal; the very presence of God fills him with terror and prevents any reasoned defense. This verse deeply foreshadows humanity's inherent need for a true Mediator, later revealed in Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5), who, being fully God and fully man, alone can bridge the infinite chasm between a righteous God and fallen humanity, allowing for an approach to the divine without consuming fear but with confidence in grace.