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Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Job 9:19

If I speak of strength— If we were to plead by strength, he is most strong; if by law, or judgment, who shall bear testimony for me? Houbigant. The meaning is, says Heath, "If I think to right myself by force, it is in vain; for he is infinitely stronger than I: if I choose to decide our dispute by law, who hath authority to call us before him?"

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See also Job 9:19 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Job 9:19. _IF_ I SPEAK _OF STRENGTH, LO_, HE IS _STRONG_] Human wisdom, power, and influence avail nothing before him. _WHO SHALL SET ME A TIME_] מי יועידני _mi yoideni_, "Who would be a witne...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    IF I SPEAK OF STRENGTH, LO, HE IS STRONG - There has been a considerable variety in the interpretation of this passage. The meaning seems to be this. It refers to a judicial contest, and Job is speaki...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER S 9-10 JOB ANSWERS BILDAD _ 1. The supremacy and power of God (Job 9:1)_ 2. How then can Job meet Him? (Job 9:11) 3. He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked (Job 9:22) 4. Confession of we...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    JOB 9:1 is Job's answer to the position taken up by Bildad, viz. that the Almighty cannot judge falsely (Job 8:3). In Job 2 accepts the general principle that God judges according to merit. But of wha...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    These verses describe what would ensue in the supposed case that God had actually responded to Job's citation. He would not listen to Job's plea but would crush him with His infinite power. The words...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    From the operation of this terrible force in the physical world Job passes on to describe its display among creatures, and to shew how it paralyses and crushes them....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    These three verses read as follows, If you speak of the strength of the mighty, Here I am! (saith He) If of judgment, Who will set me a time?...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    2. Arbitrarily God deals with him, no matter what he may do. (Job 9:13-24) TEXT 9:13-24 13 GOD WILL NOT WITHDRAW HIS ANGER; The helpers of Rahab do stoop under him. 14 How much less shall I answer...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _IF I SPEAK OF STRENGTH, LO, HE IS STRONG: AND IF OF JUDGMENT, WHO SHALL SET ME A TIME TO PLEAD?_ If I speak of strength, lo he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? It is...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    God is represented as speaking. 'If it be a question of strength, it is I who am strong; if of judgment, who would dare appoint me a day?' 'The words imply the irresponsibility and superiority to all...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    JOB'S SECOND SPEECH (JOB 9:10) Job 9:10 are, perhaps, in their religious and moral aspects the most difficult in the book. Driver in his 'Introduction to the Literature of the OT.' analyses them as f...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    JOB, A SERVANT OF GOD Job _KEITH SIMONS_ Words in boxes (except for words in brackets) are from the Bible. This commentary has been through Advanced Checking. CHAPTER 9 JOB REPLIES TO BILDAD’S F...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Job would not have said such things if he knew God’s words in Job 2:3. The truth was that Job would not need to explain his troubles to God. God already knew Job’s problems. God cared. And God would r...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IF I SPEAK OF STRENGTH. — All this is the most uncompromising acknowledgment of the absolute inability of man to stand in judgment before God. The whole of this is so very abrupt and enigmatical that...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    אִם ־לְ כֹ֣חַ אַמִּ֣יץ הִנֵּ֑ה וְ אִם

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    X. THE THOUGHT OF A DAYSMAN JOB 9:1; Job 10:1 Job SPEAKS IT is with an infinitely sad restatement of what God has been made to appear to him by Bildad's speech that Job begins his reply. Yes, yes; it...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    “THE DAYSMAN” Job 9:1 Ponder the sublimity of the conceptions of God given in this magnificent passage. To God are attributed the earthquake that rocks the pillars on which the world rests, Job 9:6;...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Job now answered Bildad. He first admitted the truth of the general proposition, Of a truth I know that it IS so; and then propounded the great question, which he subsequently proceeded to discuss in...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] (n) strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time [to plead]? (n) After he has accused his own weakness, he continues to justify God and his power....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Equity. Hebrew, "if judgment, who will appoint me a time," (Haydock) or "set me before him," and undertake my defence? Who will dare to sit as judge between us?_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (13) If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. (14) В¶ How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? (15) Whom, though I were righteous,...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 4 THROUGH 31. As to the friends of Job, they do not call for any extended remarks. They urge the doctrine that God's earthly government is a full measure and...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IF [I SPEAK] OF STRENGTH, LO, [HE IS] STRONG,.... Or think of it, or betake myself to that, and propose to carry my point by mere force, as some men do by dint of power and authority they are possesse...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time [to plead]? Ver. 19. _If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong_] Neither by might nor right can I deal with h...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _If I speak of strength_ If my cause were to be decided by power; _he is strong_ Infinitely stronger than I; _and if of judgment_ If I would contend with him in a way of right; _who shall set_, &c. Th...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    If I speak of strength, lo, He is strong, in a trial of strength Job would, of course, not stand a show; AND IF OF JUDGMENT, WHO SHALL SET ME A TIME TO PLEAD? If it were a question of right and judgme...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    JOB'S DEFENSE AGAINST SUSPICION. Both Eliphaz and Bildad had attempted to fasten upon Job some specific wrong, seeking from him a confession to that effect. He therefore defends himself against this...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    HOW CAN MAN BE JUST BEFORE GOD? (vv.1-13) Job's reply to Bildad occupies two Chapter s, 35 verses longer than Bildad's arguments had taken. But Job acknowledged, "Truly, I know it is so," that is, h...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    Seeing that God is supreme in power and subject to no court, man has no grounds on which to contend with Him. "In either case, whether. show of strength or. case of justice, Job felt that he could not...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    14-21 Job is still righteous in his own eyes, ch. Job 32:1, and this answer, though it sets forth the power and majesty of God, implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of provide...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    If my cause were to be decided by power, LO, HE IS STRONG, i.e. stronger than I. If I would contend with him in a way of right, there is no superior judge that can summon him and me together, and appo...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Job 9:19 strength H3581 strong H533 justice H4941 appoint H3259 (H8686) he is strong - Job 9:4,...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Job answers Bildad, denying he is a hypocrite. CHARACTERS: God, Job, Bildad. CONCLUSION: Man is an unequal match for his Maker, either in dispute or combat. If God should deal with any of...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Job 9:5. _Removeth the mountains,_ by earthquakes. The great mountain ranges have continuous caverns, with interior rivers and lakes. Where liases, iron and sulphur abound, volcanoes form their beds o...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Which doeth great things past finding out._ JOB’S IDEA OF WHAT GOD IS TO MANKIND He regards the Eternal as-- I. Inscrutable. 1. In His works. “Which doeth great things past finding out.” How great...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    JOB—NOTE ON JOB 9:1 Job responds, in a speech that is relentlessly legal: ch. Job 9:1 is framed by the term CONTEND ...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _JOB’S REPLY TO BILDAD_ Strongly affirms the truth of Bildad’s speech as to God’s justice (Job 9:1). Declares the impossibility of fallen man establishing his righteousness with God. The same, already...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION JOB 9:1 Job, in answer to Bildad, admits the truth of his arguments, but declines to attempt the justification which can alone entitle him to accept the favourable side of Bildad's alterna...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    So Job answers him and he said, I know it is true (Job 9:1-2): What? That God is fair. That God is just. Now that is something that we need to all know. That is true. God is righteous. God is just. Th...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 1:25; 1 Corinthians 10:22; Job 31:35; Job 33:5;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    If — If my cause were to be decided by power. Is Strong — Stronger than I. Judgment — If I would contend with him in a way of right. Who — There is no superior judge that can summon him and me togethe...

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