TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
World English Bible Messianic
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
Young's Literal Translation
Also, now, lo, in the heavens is my witness, And my testifier in the high places.
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In the KJVVerse 13,258 of 31,102
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Commentary on Job 16 verses 17–22
17 ¶ Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.
18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
Job's condition was very deplorable; but had he nothing to support him, nothing to comfort him? Yes, and he here tells us what it was.
I. He had the testimony of his conscience for him that he had walked uprightly, and had never allowed himself in any gross sin. None was ever more ready than he to acknowledge his sins of infirmity; but, upon search, he could not charge himself with any enormous crime, for which he should be made more miserable than other men, Job 16:17.
1.He had kept a conscience void of offence, (1.) Towards men: "Not for any injustice in my hands, any wealth that I have unjustly got or kept." Eliphaz had represented him as a tyrant and an oppressor. "No," says he, "I never did any wrong to any man, but always despised the gain of oppression." (2.) Towards God: Also my prayer is pure; but prayer cannot be pure as long as there is injustice in our hands, Isa 1:15. Eliphaz had charged him with hypocrisy in religion, but he specifies prayer, the great act of religion, and professes that in that he was pure, though not from all infirmity, yet from reigning and allowed guile: it was not like the prayers of the Pharisees, who looked no further than to be seen of men, and to serve a turn.
2.This assertion of his own integrity he backs with a solemn imprecation of shame and confusion to himself if it were not true, Job 16:18. (1.) If there were any injustice in his hands, he wished it might not be concealed: O earth! cover thou not my blood, that is, "the innocent blood of others, which I am suspected to have shed." Murder will out; and "let it," says Job, "if I have ever been guilty if it," Gen 4:10, Gen 4:11. The day is coming when the earth shall disclose her blood (Isa 26:21), and a good man as far from dreading that day. (2.) If there were any impurity in his prayers, he wished they might not be accepted: Let my cry have no place. He was willing to be judged by that rule, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me, Psa 66:18. There is another probable sense of these words, that he does hereby, as it were, lay his death upon his friends, who broke his heart with their harsh censures, and charges the guilt of his blood upon them, begging of God to avenge it and that the cry of his blood might have no place in which to lie hid, but might come up to heaven and be heard by him that makes inquisition for blood.
II. He could appeal to God's omniscience concerning his integrity, Job 16:19. The witness in our own bosoms for us will stand us in little stead if we have not a witness in heaven for us too; for God is greater than our hearts, and we are not to he our own judges. This therefore is Job's triumph, My witness is in heaven. Note, It is an unspeakable comfort to a good man, when he lies under the censure of his brethren, that there is a God in heaven who knows his integrity and will clear it up sooner or later. See Joh 5:31, Joh 5:37. This one witness is instead of a thousand.
III. He had a God to go to before whom he might unbosom himself, Job 16:20, Job 16:21. See here, 1. How the case stood between him and his friends. He knew not how to be free with them, nor could he expect either a fair hearing with them or fair dealing from them. "My friends (so they call themselves) scorn me; they set themselves not only to resist me, but to expose me; they are of counsel against me, and use all their art and eloquence" (so the word signifies) "to run me down." The scorns of friends are more cutting than those of enemies; but we must expect them, and provide accordingly. 2. How it stood between him and God. He doubted not but that, (1.) God did now take cognizance of his sorrows: My eye pours out tears to God. He had said (Job 16:16) that he wept much; here he tells us in what channel his tears ran, and which way they were directed. His sorrow was not that of the world, but he sorrowed after a godly sort, wept before the Lord, and offered to him the sacrifice of a broken heart. Note, Even tears, when sanctified to God, give ease to troubled spirits; and, if men slight our grief, this may comfort us, that God regards them. (2.) That he would in due time clear up his innocency (Job 16:21): O that one might plead for a man with God! If he could but now have the same freedom at God's bar that men commonly have at the bar of the civil magistrate, he doubted not but to carry his cause, for the Judge himself was a witness to his integrity. The language of this wish is like that in Isa 50:7, Isa 50:8, I know that I shall not be ashamed, for he is near that justifies me. Some give a gospel sense of this verse, and the original will very well bear it; and he will plead (that is, there is one that will plead) for man with God, even the Son of man for his friend, or neighbour. Those who pour out tears before God, though they cannot plead for themselves, by reason of their distance and defects, have a friend to plead for them, even the Son of man, and on this we must bottom all our hopes of acceptance with God.
IV. He had a prospect of death which would put a period to all his troubles. Such confidence had he towards God that he could take pleasure in thinking of the approach of death, when he should be determined to his everlasting state, as one that doubted not but it would be well with him then: When a few years have come (the years of number which are determined and appointed to me) then I shall go the way whence I shall not return. Note, 1. To die is to go the way whence we shall not return. It is to go a journey, a long journey, a journey for good and all, to remove from this to another country, from the world of sense to the world of spirits. It is a journey to our long home; there will be no coming back to out state in this world nor any change of our state in the other world. 2. We must all of us very certainly, and very shortly, go this journey; and it is comfortable to those who keep a good conscience to think of it, for it is the crown of their integrity.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–22. Public domain.
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Julian of EclanumAD 455
EXPOSITION ON THE BOOK OF JOB 16:18-19
“I have suffered this without committing iniquity.” You have a good reason to be upset, because there was no cause for such a torment. “I have suffered this.” Job is knowingly in pain against his merits. Therefore, he does not want the fact that he has been given to torments to remain hidden, but he desires what he suffers to be under the light. Job has no desire for the memory of his passion to be buried in oblivion but wants what he suffers to reach everybody’s ears, because he is certain of the innocence of his life.… Therefore it is especially reserved for the righteous that their passions and their deaths not be hidden in the course of their struggles.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
27. For when the Son was brought to His downfall on earth, there was a witness to Him in heaven. Since the Father is the witness of the Son; concerning Whom He Himself saith in the Gospel, And the Father Himself, Which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. [John 5, 37] Who is also rightly called ‘mine heart’s associate,’ in that with one will, and with one counsel, the Father acts always in union with the Son. Whose witness too He is, in that no man knoweth the Son but the Father. [Matt. 11, 27] Thus He had then ‘a witness in heaven,’ and His ‘heart’s associate’ on high, when they, who saw Him dying in the flesh, had their eyes closed to see the power of His Divine nature; and whereas men did not know, yet in the hour of death the Mediator between God and man did know, that the Father was working together with Himself. Which perhaps may be likewise applied to the voice of His Body. For Holy Church for this reason undergoes the miseries of this life, that the grace above may lead her on her way to the rewards of eternity. She slights the death of her flesh, because she is intent on the glory of the resurrection; and what she suffers is transitory, what she expects everlasting, concerning which same everlasting blessings she has no misgiving, in that she has already a faithful testimony in the glory of her Redeemer. For she sees with the mind the resurrection of His flesh, and is strongly fortified to have hope, in that what she sees already brought to pass in her Head, she hopes without doubting will also follow in His Body, which is herself. Which same Church the Psalmist seeing destined to continue in everlasting perfection, describes her under the title of the moon. A perfect moon for everlasting. [Ps. 89, 37] And whereas the Resurrection of the Lord heartens her to entertain the hope of a Resurrection, he properly added, And a faithful witness in heaven. Forasmuch as that she may not tremble for her own resurrection, she has Him in heaven for a witness, Who rose again from the dead; and so let the faithful People when it suffers adversity, when it is harassed with sore tribulations, lift up the mind to the hope of the glory to follow, and trusting in the resurrection of the Redeemer, let it say, Also now behold my witness is in heaven, and mine associate on high. Who is also rightly called ‘an associate,’ in that He was acquainted with our nature, not only by creating, but by taking it upon Himself. For His knowing is His having undertaken what belongs to us. Whence too it is said by the Psalmist, For He knoweth our frame. [Ps. 103, 14] For what wonder is it if He is said emphatically ‘to know our frame,’ when it is plain that there is nothing that He does not know? But His ‘knowing our frame,’ is His having taken it upon Himself out of pitifulness.
28. Yet this voice may together with blessed Job suitably apply to each one of ourselves as well; for every man who in what he does aims at human praises, seeks a ‘witness’ on earth: but he that is eager to please Almighty God by his deeds, takes thought that he has a ‘witness in heaven.’ And it often happens that the very good things themselves in us are found fault with by inconsiderate men; but he that ‘has a witness in heaven,’ has no need to fear men’s reproofs.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Job 16:19 encapsulates Job's profound declaration of faith and conviction amidst his unmerited suffering and the relentless accusations of his friends. Stripped of everything—his wealth, health, and family—and condemned by human judgment, Job appeals to a divine, celestial authority. This verse expresses his unwavering belief that an unimpeachable heavenly witness knows his true integrity and will ultimately vindicate him, thereby encapsulating Job's enduring hope in God's omniscience and ultimate justice, even when earthly circumstances offer only despair.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 16:19 employs several powerful literary devices. Parallelism is evident in the two clauses, "my witness is in heaven" and "my record is on high," where the second clause reiterates and amplifies the first, strengthening the assertion of divine oversight. The use of metaphor is central, as "witness" and "record" are judicial terms applied to God or a divine agent, transforming the heavens into a celestial courtroom where Job's case is truly heard. The phrase "on high" serves as synecdoche, where the location (heaven) stands for the divine authority and omniscience residing there. The entire verse functions as a powerful apostrophe, a direct address or appeal to an absent or abstract entity (the heavenly witness), conveying Job's profound desperation and unwavering faith in a higher justice.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's desperate cry for a "witness in heaven" and a "record on high" is a profound theological statement about God's omniscience, justice, and the ultimate vindication of the righteous. It articulates a deep human longing for an impartial arbiter when earthly judgments fail. This yearning for a divine advocate who truly knows and sees foreshadows a central theme in biblical theology: God's comprehensive knowledge of humanity and His commitment to justice, even when it is delayed or inscrutable to human perception. It also points to the broader biblical narrative of God's people appealing to Him in times of distress and false accusation, trusting in His ultimate sovereignty and righteousness to set things right.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 16:19 offers immense comfort and encouragement for those navigating seasons of misunderstanding, false accusation, or unmerited suffering. In a world where human judgment is often flawed, biased, or incomplete, Job's declaration reminds us that there is a higher court, a divine witness who sees beyond superficial appearances and knows the true condition of our hearts. This verse invites us to cultivate a deep-seated trust in God's omniscience and ultimate justice, even when our circumstances seem bleak and our integrity is questioned by others. It encourages us to persevere in righteousness, knowing that our true "record" is held "on high" by a God who is perfectly just and will ultimately vindicate His faithful ones. When we feel utterly alone or unjustly treated, we can appeal to this heavenly witness, finding solace and strength in the assurance that God truly knows and cares.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does Job believe this "witness" is God Himself, or someone else?
Answer: While Job does not explicitly name the "witness," the context strongly suggests he is appealing to God, or at least a divine representative directly connected to God's ultimate authority. In Job's worldview, God is the ultimate judge and arbiter. The "witness in heaven" and "record on high" point to God's omniscience and His ability to see and know the truth of Job's integrity, even when it is hidden from human eyes. Later in the book, Job expresses a longing for an "umpire" or "mediator" between himself and God (Job 9:33), and a "Redeemer" who will stand upon the earth (Job 19:25). These expressions collectively point to Job's profound conviction that a divine entity will ultimately vindicate him.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate cry for a "witness in heaven" and a "record on high" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job longed for an impartial arbiter, a divine advocate who could stand between him and God, knowing his true heart and testifying on his behalf. This yearning is perfectly met in Jesus, who is not merely a witness for us but our very Advocate and Intercessor before the Father. As 1 John 2:1 declares, "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." He is the one who truly knows our frame, having experienced human suffering and temptation, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Furthermore, Christ Himself is the ultimate "record on high," for in Him, our names are written in the Book of Life and our righteousness is imputed through faith (Romans 3:22). He is the one who testifies to our justification before God (Romans 8:33-34), silencing all accusations. Thus, Job's ancient hope is transformed into a living reality for believers, who have in Christ not just a distant witness, but a compassionate, ever-present High Priest who intercedes on their behalf, ensuring their ultimate vindication and eternal security.