Job 23:6
New International Version
Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me.

New Living Translation
Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing.

English Standard Version
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me.

Berean Standard Bible
Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

King James Bible
Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

New King James Version
Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me.

New American Standard Bible
“Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power? No, surely He would pay attention to me.

NASB 1995
“Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power? No, surely He would pay attention to me.

NASB 1977
“Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power? No, surely He would pay attention to me.

Legacy Standard Bible
Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power? No, surely He would pay attention to me.

Amplified Bible
“Would He contend against me with His great power? No, surely He would give attention to me.

Christian Standard Bible
Would he prosecute me forcefully? No, he would certainly pay attention to me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Would He prosecute me forcefully? No, He will certainly pay attention to me.

American Standard Version
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

Contemporary English Version
Would he overwhelm me with his greatness? No! He would listen

English Revised Version
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Would he sue me and hide behind great legal maneuvers? No, he certainly would press charges against me.

Good News Translation
Would God use all his strength against me? No, he would listen as I spoke.

International Standard Version
"Would he use his great power to fight me? No, he'll pay attention to me.

Majority Standard Bible
Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

NET Bible
Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me.

New Heart English Bible
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Would he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

World English Bible
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Does He strive with me in the abundance of power? No! Surely He puts [it] in me.

Young's Literal Translation
In the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth it in me.

Smith's Literal Translation
Will he contend with me in great power? No; but he will put in me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I do not want him to contend with me with much strength, nor to overwhelm me with the bulk of his greatness.

New American Bible
Would he contend against me with his great power? No, he himself would heed me!

New Revised Standard Version
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Would he contend with me with his great power? If he would not, then he will put his fear into me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the abundance of power he judged with me, and otherwise there was awe laid upon me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Though he should come on me in his great strength, then he would not threaten me;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Longs for God
5I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say. 6Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me. 7Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.…

Cross References
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 138:3
On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.

Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Ephesians 3:16
I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

Psalm 18:32
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Isaiah 30:15
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.”

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

Psalm 28:8
The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed.


Treasury of Scripture

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

plead

Job 9:19,33,34
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? …

Job 13:21
Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.

Isaiah 27:4,8
Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together…

but he would

Psalm 138:3
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me…

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Abundance Attention Charges Contend Great Greatness Heed Oppose Overcome Pay Plead Power Press Putteth Strength Strive Surely Use
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














Would He contend with me
The word "contend" in Hebrew is "רִיב" (riv), which means to strive or dispute. In the context of Job, this reflects Job's deep desire to understand why he is suffering and to present his case before God. Historically, the idea of contending with God is significant, as it shows Job's boldness and faith in God's justice. Job is not accusing God of wrongdoing but is seeking a fair hearing, which is a testament to his belief in God's righteousness.

in His great power?
The phrase "great power" emphasizes God's omnipotence. The Hebrew word for power here is "כֹּחַ" (koach), which denotes strength and might. This reflects the awe and reverence Job has for God's supreme authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often seen as distant and unapproachable, yet Job acknowledges God's power while still yearning for a personal encounter. This highlights the unique relationship between the God of Israel and His people, where power is coupled with personal care.

No, He would certainly take note of me
The word "certainly" in Hebrew is "אָכֵן" (aken), which conveys assurance and confidence. Job expresses a profound trust that God, despite His immense power, is attentive to individual human beings. The phrase "take note of me" suggests a personal and intimate awareness. In the Hebrew, "שִׂים" (sim) means to set or place, indicating that God would set His attention on Job. This reflects the biblical theme of God's personal involvement in the lives of His people, as seen throughout Scripture, where God is depicted as both mighty and intimately concerned with human affairs.

(6) Plead against me.--Rather, Would he plead with me, or contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would have regard unto me; he would consider my case. Eliphaz had bidden Job to acquaint himself with God, and return unto Him (Job 22:23); Job says there is nothing he longs for more than to come into His presence.

Verse 6. - Will he plead against me with his great power? rather, Would he contend against me in the greatness of his power? (see the Revised Version). Flint is, "Would he crush me by mere strength and force? Would he use against me that overwhelming might which he possesses? No, Job answers, certainly not; but he would put strength in me; or, rather, but he would give heed to me he would pay attention to my cause (comp. Job 4:20, ad fin., where the same verb is used).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Would He contend
יָרִ֣יב (yā·rîḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend

with me
עִמָּדִ֑י (‘im·mā·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5978: Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto,

in His great
הַבְּרָב־ (hab·bə·rāḇ-)
Article, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

power?
כֹּ֭חַ (kō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

No,
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

He
ה֝֗וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

would certainly
אַךְ־ (’aḵ-)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

take [note]
יָשִׂ֥ם (yā·śim)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

of me.
בִּֽי׃ (bî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Poetry: Job 23:6 Would he contend with me (Jb)
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