Job 23

Job repeats his desire to bring his cause before God; but is in fear and darkness, and knows not where to find Him (2-9); reasserts his innocence (10-12); yet shrinks from appealing to God, because He hides Himself and pursues His unalterable plans (13-17). He then replies to Eliphaz, describing the open oppressions of the wicked, and their secret sins; and asserts that, though destined to future punishment, they are not treated in this life according to their deserts (xxiv.).

3. Oh that I knew where I might find Him! This language (3-5) describes the feelings of one who, when his character is attacked, conscious of uprightness, appeals to the Divine tribunal (“His seat”), as Job had already done (xiii. 3; xvi. 21).

6. Will He plead against me, etc.? Or, “Would He confound me by His omnipotence? No, He would give heed unto me” (R.V.): showing clearly that Job still trusted in God.

7. Moffatt translates: “There I might argue with Him as one innocent.”

12 more than my necessary food. Some of the best versions render “in my bosom.”

14. He performeth the thing that is appointed for me. Or, “He maketh an end of my purpose” (see ver. 12), etc.; i.e., it is useless to oppose my wishes and purposes to His unalterable decree (13).

16 soft. That is, “faint” (R.V.): see Deut. xx. 3; Isa. vii. 4.

17. Because I was not cut off, etc. Or, perhaps, as R.V., marg., “For I am not dismayed because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covereth my face.” The meaning seems to be, I am not so much terrified by my calamities, dreadful as they are, as by my ignorance of the reasons why God afflicts me.