Job 23:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

Complete Jewish Bible:

"If I head east, he isn't there; if I head west, I don't detect him,

Berean Standard Bible:

If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

American Standard Version:

Behold, I go forward, but he is notthere; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Behold, I go^{H1980} forward^{H6924}, but he is not there; and backward^{H268}, but I cannot perceive^{H995} him:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 23:8

Job 23:8 is part of the poetic dialogues found in the Book of Job, which is one of the Wisdom Books in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament in the Christian tradition. The Book of Job addresses the age-old question of why suffering exists in the world, particularly the suffering of the innocent. It is set in a historical context that is generally considered to be the patriarchal period, though the exact time is not specified, and it may be a work of fiction or a tale passed down through generations.

In this verse, Job is expressing his profound struggle to find God in the midst of his intense suffering. Despite his efforts to seek God, Job feels that whichever direction he turns, God is absent. He cannot find God by going forward or by looking backward in his life. This reflects the themes of theodicy (the justice of God), the inscrutability of God's ways, and the human quest for understanding divine providence amidst trials and tribulations.

The verse captures the essence of Job's existential crisis. He is bewildered by the apparent silence and hiddenness of God, which is a common experience for those enduring great hardship. Job's words resonate with the human experience of trying to grasp the presence of the divine in the face of adversity. The Book of Job, and specifically this verse, challenges readers to consider the nature of faith, the reality of suffering, and the limits of human understanding in relation to the divine.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1980
   There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָלַךְ
   Transliteration: hâlak
   Pronunciation: haw-lak'
   Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6924
   There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֶדֶם
   Transliteration: qedem
   Pronunciation: keh'-dem
   Description: or קֵדְמָה; from קָדַם; the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward); aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, [idiom] ever(-lasting), forward, old, past. Compare קִדְמָה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H268
   There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָחוֹר
   Transliteration: ʼâchôwr
   Pronunciation: aw-khore'
   Description: or (shortened) אָחֹר ; from אֲחִירַע; the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West; after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without.
   
4. Strong's Number: H995
   There are 162 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּין
   Transliteration: bîyn
   Pronunciation: bene
   Description: a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand; attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).