Job 23 · Verse 3

Job 23:3

Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
Job 23:3, King James Version

Job 23:3 in other translations

BSBIf only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.
WEBOh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
ASVOh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
YLTO that I had known--and I find Him, I come in unto His seat,
DARBYOh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come to his seat!
BBEIf only I had knowledge of where he might be seen, so that I might come even to his seat!
WebsterOh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

What does Job 23:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. The same wish as in Job 13:3 (compare He 10:19-22). Seat--The idea in the Hebrew is a well-prepared throne (Psa 9:7).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 O that I knew where I might find him! - This and the following verse may be read thus: "Who will give me the knowledge of God, that I may find him out? I would come to his establishment; (the place or way in which he has promised to communicate himself); I would exhibit, in detail, my judgment (the cause I wish to be tried) before his face; and my mouth would I fill with convincing or decisive arguments;" arguments drawn from his common method of saving sinners, which I should prove applied fully to my case. Hence the confidence with which he speaks, Job 23:6.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 23:1-7

Job appeals from his friends to the just judgement of God. He wants to have his cause tried quickly. Blessed be God, we may know where to find him. He is in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself; and upon a mercy-seat, waiting to be gracious. Thither the sinner may go; and there the believer may order his cause before Him, with arguments taken from his promises, his covenant, and his glory. A patient waiting…

Read the full comment on Job 23:1-7 →

Job 23:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מִֽי\־mi-who?H4310
יִתֵּ֣ןyi.Tenwill he giveH5414
יָ֭דַעְתִּיYa.da'.tiI knewH3045
וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּve.'em.tza.'E.huand I will find himH4672
אָ֝ב֗וֹא'a.Vo'I will comeH935
עַד\־'ad-toH5704
תְּכוּנָתֽוֹ\׃te.khu.na.Toplace hisH8499

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 23:3

  • Job 16:21

    O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

  • Job 31:35-37

    Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

  • Hebrews 4:6

    Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

  • Jeremiah 14:7

    O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

  • Job 13:3

    Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

  • Isaiah 26:8

    Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

    To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

  • Job 40:1-5

    Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. …

  • Isaiah 55:6-7

    Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Oh that.
13:3; 16:21; 40:1-5; Isa 26:8; Jer 14:7
where.
Isa 55:6,7; 2Co 5:19,20; Heb 4:6
that I might.
31:35-37

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 23:2

    Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

  • Job 23:3

    Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

  • Job 23:4

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

Read all of Job 23

Job 23:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¡Quién me diera el saber dónde hallar á Dios! yo iría hasta su silla.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Oh! si je savais le trouver, et parvenir là où il est assis!
German
Elberfelder 1871		O daß ich ihn zu finden wüßte, daß ich kommen könnte bis zu seiner Wohnstätte!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quis mihi tribuat ut cognoscam et inveniam illum, et veniam usque ad solium ejus?