Job 9:19
 Job 9:19 
New International Version (©2011)
If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him?

New Living Translation (©2007)
If it's a question of strength, he's the strong one. If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?

English Standard Version (©2001)
If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"If it is a matter of power, behold, He is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

International Standard Version (©2012)
"Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?

NET Bible (©2006)
If it is a matter of strength, most certainly he is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, he will say, 'Who will summon me?'

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If it is a matter of strength, then he is the mighty one. If it is about justice, who will charge me with a crime?

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of justice, who shall set me a time to plead?

American King James Version
If I speak of strength, see, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

American Standard Version
If we speak of strength, lo, he is mighty! And if of justice, Who,'saith he , will summon me?

Douay-Rheims Bible
If strength be demanded, he is most strong: if equity of judgment, no man dare bear witness for me.

Darby Bible Translation
Be it a question of strength, lo, he is strong; and be it of judgment, who will set me a time?

English Revised Version
If we speak of the strength of the mighty, lo, he is there! and if of judgment, who will appoint me a time?

Webster's Bible Translation
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

World English Bible
If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! If of justice, 'Who,' says he, 'will summon me?'

Young's Literal Translation
If of power, lo, the Strong One; And if of judgment -- who doth convene me?

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:14-21 Job is still righteous in his own eyes, ch. 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 providence, is a question of might, and not of right; and we begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a self-righteous spirit. Job begins to manifest a disposition to condemn God, that he may justify himself, for which he is afterwards reproved. Still Job knew so much of himself, that he durst not stand a trial. If we say, We have no sin, we not only deceive ourselves, but we affront God; for we sin in saying so, and give the lie to the Scripture. But Job reflected on God's goodness and justice in saying his affliction was without cause.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong. Still the idea is, "How can I contend with God? If it is to be a trial of strength, it is he who is strong, not I; if it is to be a suit, or pleading for justice, who will appoint me a day?" And if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? (comp. below, ver 33).


Gill's Exposition of the Entire 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 possessed of; alas! there is nothing to be done this way; I am a poor, weak, feeble creature in body, mind, and estate; I am not able to contend with so powerful an antagonist on any account, in any way: God is strong, he is the "most strong" (w), as some render it; he is mighty, is the Almighty; the weakness of God is stronger than men; there is no disputing with God upon the foot of strength:

and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? If I think and propose to put things upon the foot of justice, to have the cause between us issued in that way, I cannot expect to succeed by right, any more than by might; he is so strictly just and holy, that no righteousness and holiness of, mine can stand before him; he is God, and I a man, and therefore not fit to come together in judgment; and he a pure and holy Being, just and true, and without iniquity, and I a sinful polluted creature; and besides, there is none superior to him, that I can appeal unto, none that can appoint a place, or fix a time, for the hearing of the cause between us, or that can preside in judgment and determine the matter in controversy; nay, there is not one among the creatures that can be a daysman, an arbiter or umpire; yea not one that can be so much as employed as council, that can take the cause in hand, and plead it, and be a patron for me, and defender of me; so that, let me take what course I will, I am sure to be nonsuited and worsted, see Jeremiah 49:19.

(w) "robustissimus est", V. L.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19. Umbreit takes these as the words of God, translating, "What availeth the might of the strong?" "Here (saith he) behold! what availeth justice? Who will appoint me a time to plead?" (So Jer 49:19). The last words certainly apply better to God than to Job. The sense is substantially the same if we make "me" apply to Job. The "lo!" expresses God's swift readiness for battle when challenged.


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Job: No Arbiter Between God and Man
18He will not suffer me to take my breath, but fills me with bitterness. 19If I speak of strength, see, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? 20If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. …

Job 9:4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
Job 9:33 If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together,