King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man [pleadeth] for his neighbour!
Complete Jewish Bible:
that he would arbitrate between a man and God, just as one does for his fellow human being.
Berean Standard Bible:
Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!
American Standard Version:
That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
O that one might plead{H3198} for a man{H1397} with God{H433}, as a man{H120} pleadeth for his neighbour{H1121}{H7453}!
Cross-References (KJV):
Ecclesiastes 6:10
- That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it [is] man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Romans 9:20
- Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed [it], Why hast thou made me thus?
Isaiah 45:9
- Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Job 23:3
- Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!
Job 23:7
- There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Job 40:1
- ¶ Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
Job 40:5
- Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 16:21
Job 16:21 is a verse from the Book of Job, which is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. The Book of Job deals with the question of why innocent people suffer and whether or not they can find justice in the divine realm. The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, but it is generally thought to have been written between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE, reflecting the theological and philosophical debates of that era.
In this particular verse, Job is in the midst of his intense suffering and is expressing his deep desire for an intermediary who could plead his case before God. The themes here include the isolation and desperation of the sufferer, the vastness of the divine-human gap, and the yearning for an advocate or a legal defender who could bridge that gap. Job feels that if such an advocate were to exist, he would be as passionately committed to Job's defense as a person would be in defending a neighbor or friend.
The verse speaks to the human inclination to seek representation and support when facing overwhelming odds, especially in the presence of a higher authority. It underscores the human longing for justice and the need to be heard and understood, even by the divine. This concept of an advocate or intercessor resonates with broader biblical themes of mediation, such as the role of angels, prophets, and ultimately Christ in Christian theology, who is seen as the ultimate intercessor between humanity and God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3198
There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכַח
Transliteration: yâkach
Pronunciation: yaw-kahh'
Description: a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict; appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise. - Strong's Number: H1397
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֶּבֶר
Transliteration: geber
Pronunciation: gheh'-ber
Description: from גָּבַר; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply; every one, man, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H433
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלוֹהַּ
Transliteration: ʼĕlôwahh
Pronunciation: el-o'-ah
Description: rarely (shortened) אֱלֹהַּ; probably prolonged (emphatic) from אֵל; a deity or the Deity; God, god. See אֱלֹהִים. - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H7453
There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵעַ
Transliteration: rêaʻ
Pronunciation: ray'-ah
Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other.