Job 23:4
New International Version
I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

New Living Translation
I would lay out my case and present my arguments.

English Standard Version
I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

Berean Standard Bible
I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

King James Bible
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

New King James Version
I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

New American Standard Bible
“I would present my case before Him And fill my mouth with arguments.

NASB 1995
“I would present my case before Him And fill my mouth with arguments.

NASB 1977
“I would present my case before Him And fill my mouth with arguments.

Legacy Standard Bible
I would arrange my case for justice before Him And fill my mouth with arguments.

Amplified Bible
“I would present my cause before Him And fill my mouth with arguments.

Christian Standard Bible
I would plead my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

American Standard Version
I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

Contemporary English Version
and argue my case.

English Revised Version
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I would present [my] case to him. I would have a mouthful of arguments.

Good News Translation
I would state my case before him and present all the arguments in my favor.

International Standard Version
I would lay out my case before him; and fill my mouth with arguments.

Majority Standard Bible
I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

NET Bible
I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

New Heart English Bible
I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

Webster's Bible Translation
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

World English Bible
I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I arrange the cause before Him, "" And fill my mouth [with] arguments.

Young's Literal Translation
I arrange before Him the cause, And my mouth fill with arguments.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will arrange judgment before him, and I will fill the mouth with proofs.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I would place judgment before his eye, and my mouth would fill with criticism,

New American Bible
I would set out my case before him, fill my mouth with arguments;

New Revised Standard Version
I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I would lay my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall set judgment in order before him and I shall fill my mouth with rebuke
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I would order my cause before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I would plead my own cause, and he would fill my mouth with arguments.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Longs for God
3If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat. 4I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. 5I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.…

Cross References
Psalm 17:1-2
A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—it comes from lips free of deceit. / May my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right.

Isaiah 41:21
“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.

Psalm 119:169
May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.

Psalm 119:170
May my plea come before You; rescue me according to Your promise.

Psalm 142:2
I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Micah 6:2
Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:

Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

Psalm 55:17
Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah

Lamentations 3:41
Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


Treasury of Scripture

I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

order

Job 13:18
Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.

Job 37:19
Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

Psalm 43:1
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

fill my mouth

Genesis 18:25-32
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? …

Genesis 32:12
And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Exodus 32:12,13
Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people…

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Arguments Arrange Case Cause Fill Full Lay Mouth Order Present State
Job 23
1. Job longs to appear before God
6. in confidence of his mercy
8. God, who is invisible, observes our ways
11. Job's innocence
13. God's decree is immutable














I would plead
The Hebrew word for "plead" is "yakach," which can mean to argue, reason, or prove. In the context of Job, this word reflects a deep desire for a fair hearing before God. Job is not merely expressing a wish to speak; he is yearning for a judicial setting where he can present his case. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking justice through a formal process, emphasizing Job's belief in God's ultimate fairness and justice.

my case
The term "case" in Hebrew is "mishpat," which often refers to judgment or justice. Job is not just presenting a personal grievance; he is seeking a divine judgment on his situation. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God as the ultimate judge, who is righteous and just. Job's appeal to "my case" underscores his confidence in his own integrity and his belief that God will vindicate him if given the chance.

before Him
The phrase "before Him" indicates Job's desire to stand directly in God's presence. In the ancient world, appearing before a king or deity was a significant event, often reserved for matters of great importance. Job's longing to be "before Him" highlights his deep faith and reverence for God, as well as his belief that only God can truly understand and resolve his plight.

and fill my mouth
The imagery of filling one's mouth suggests a readiness and abundance of words. In Hebrew culture, the mouth is often seen as the organ of expression and communication. Job's intention to "fill my mouth" indicates his preparedness to present a thorough and well-reasoned argument. It reflects his earnest desire to communicate his suffering and seek understanding from God.

with arguments
The word "arguments" in Hebrew is "tochechah," which can mean reproof, correction, or reasoning. Job is not approaching God with empty complaints; he is prepared to engage in a reasoned discourse. This reflects the biblical tradition of wrestling with God, as seen in the accounts of Jacob and others. Job's use of "arguments" signifies his respect for God's wisdom and his hope that through dialogue, he might find clarity and justice.

Verse 4. - I would order my cause before him. Job has put away the feelings of shame and diffidence, which were predominant with him when he said, "How should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand" (Job 9:2, 3); and again, "How much less shall I answer him, and cheese out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; but I would make my supplication to my Judge" (Job 9:14, 15). He now wishes to contend and argue and reason. This is quite in accordance with our experience. Many am the moods of man - various and conflicting his desires! His mind never continues long in one stay. And fill my mouth with arguments (comp. Psalm 38:14, where our translators render the same word by "reproofs," but where "arguments" or "pleadings" would be more appropriate). The LXX. has there ἐλεγμοὶ, and in the present passage ἔλεγχοι. The word is forensic.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I would plead
אֶעֶרְכָ֣ה (’e·‘er·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

my case
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

before Him
לְפָנָ֣יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

and fill my mouth
וּ֝פִ֗י (ū·p̄î)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

with
אֲמַלֵּ֥א (’ă·mal·lê)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

arguments.
תוֹכָחֽוֹת׃ (ṯō·w·ḵā·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8433: Chastisement, correction, refutation, proof


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OT Poetry: Job 23:4 I would set my cause in order (Jb)
Job 23:3
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