Job 23 · Verse 6

Job 23:6

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
Job 23:6, King James Version

Job 23:6 in other translations

BSBWould He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.
WEBWould he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
ASVWould he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
YLTIn the abundance of power doth He strive with me? No! surely He putteth it in me.
DARBYWould he plead against me with his great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
BBEWould he make use of his great power to overcome me? No, but he would give attention to me.
WebsterWould he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

What does Job 23:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. An objection suggests itself, while he utters the wish (Job 23:5). Do I hereby wish that He should plead against me with His omnipotence? Far from it! (Job 9:19, 34; 13:21; 30:18). strength--so as to prevail with Him: as in Jacob's case (Ho 12:3, 4). Umbreit and Maurer better translate as in Job 4:20 (I only wish that He) "would attend to me," that is, give me a patient hearing as an ordinary judge, not using His omnipotence, but only His divine knowledge of my innocence.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Will he plead against me - He would not exhibit his majesty and his sovereign authority to strike me dumb, or so overawe me that I could not speak in my own vindication. No; but he would put strength in me - On the contrary, he would treat me with tenderness, he would rectify my mistakes, he would show me what was in my favor, and would temper the rigid demands of justice by the mild interpretations of equity; and where law could not clear me, mercy would conduct all to the most favorable issue.

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 23:6 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.

הַבְּרָב\־ha.be.rov-¿ with greatness ofH7230
כֹּ֭חַKo.achpowerH3581
יָרִ֣יבya.Rivwill he conduct a caseH7378
עִמָּדִ֑י'i.ma.Diwith meH5978
לֹ֥אlo'notH3808
אַךְ\־'akh-surelyH389
ה֝֗וּאHu'heH1931
יָשִׂ֥םya.Simhe will putH7760
בִּֽי\׃Bion me

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

Cross references for Job 23:6

  • 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

  • Job 13:21

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

  • Job 9:33-34

    Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

  • Ezekiel 20:35

    And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

  • Job 9:19

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

  • Ezekiel 20:33

    As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

  • Job 9:4

    He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

  • Isaiah 27:4

    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.

  • Isaiah 27:8

    In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.

  • Psalms 138:3

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

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
plead.
9:19,33,34; 13:21; Isa 27:4,8; Eze 20:33,35
but he would.
Ps 138:3; 2Co 12:9,10

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

Context

  • Job 23:5

    I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

  • Job 23:6

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

  • Job 23:7

    There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

Read all of Job 23

Job 23:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Pleitearía conmigo con grandeza de fuerza? No: antes él la pondría en mí.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Contesterait-il avec moi dans la grandeur de sa force? Non, mais il ferait attention à moi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Würde er in der Größe seiner Kraft mit mir streiten? Nein; er würde nur acht auf mich haben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nolo multa fortitudine contendat mecum, nec magnitudinis suæ mole me premat.