Job 23:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Will he plead {H7378} against {H5978} me with his great {H7230} power {H3581}? No; but he would put {H7760} strength in me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Would he browbeat me with his great power? No, he would pay attention to me.

Berean Standard Bible

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

American Standard Version

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 23:6 captures Job's profound and paradoxical trust in God amidst his overwhelming suffering. Having passionately desired a direct encounter with the Almighty to present his case, Job considers how such a divine confrontation might unfold. He dismisses the notion that God would use His immense power to crush him in a legal dispute, instead asserting with defiant hope that God would impart strength to him, enabling him to articulate his defense and receive vindication. This verse reveals Job's deep conviction in God's ultimate justice and His character as a sustainer, not an oppressor, even in the face of inexplicable pain.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Job's third discourse (chapters 23-24), a section marked by his continued lament and a desperate, almost obsessive, longing to find God. Following the unproductive and accusatory exchanges with his three friends, Job has exhausted all human avenues for understanding or comfort. His friends' simplistic theology—that suffering is direct punishment for sin—has failed to explain his plight, leaving Job feeling utterly misunderstood and unjustly afflicted. Consequently, Job's focus shifts entirely to God, not as an abstract concept, but as the only potential source of answers and vindication. His repeated cry, "Oh that I knew where I might find him!" [Job 23:3](/job/23-3 "Job 23:3 - Job's Desire to Find God") underscores his yearning for a divine audience, believing that if he could just present his case directly, God would clarify his situation and clear his name. Job 23:6 is a pivotal moment in this discourse, as it articulates Job's surprising expectation of how God would respond in such a direct confrontation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a region where legal proceedings and the concept of divine justice were deeply ingrained in society. Courtroom imagery, with accusers, defendants, judges, and witnesses, was a common literary and cultural motif. In this context, Job's desire to "plead" his case before God invokes the familiar setting of a legal dispute. Ancient legal systems often involved direct confrontation and the presentation of evidence. Furthermore, the prevailing cultural understanding of divine power often depicted deities as capable of arbitrary wrath or overwhelming might that could crush mortals. Job's assertion that God would *not* use His great power against him, but *for* him, challenges this conventional understanding and reflects a unique, deeply personal conviction about the character of the God of Israel, even if Job's understanding is still developing through his suffering. This perspective contrasts sharply with the "retribution theology" espoused by his friends, which was common in the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** Job 23:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's Justice and Sovereignty**. Despite his intense suffering and the apparent injustice of his situation, Job maintains an unwavering, though struggling, conviction in God's fundamental righteousness. He refuses to believe that God, who is just, would use His immense power to unfairly condemn an innocent man in a legal dispute. This deep faith in God's character stands in stark contrast to the accusations of his friends and his own moments of despair, affirming that God's power is ultimately aligned with His justice. Secondly, the verse explores the **Nature of Divine Power**. Job acknowledges God's "great power" (omnipotence) but immediately redefines its application in his mind. He posits that God's power would not be used for oppression or to silence him, but rather to empower him, enabling him to articulate his defense. This reflects a nuanced understanding of divine might as both awe-inspiring and potentially enabling, aligning with the broader biblical truth that God strengthens the weak, as seen in [Isaiah 40:29](/isaiah/40-29 "Isaiah 40:29 - God Gives Power to the Faint"). Lastly, it underscores the universal **Human Longing for Vindication and Understanding**. Job desperately seeks to clear his name and understand the reason for his suffering. His desire to argue his case before God is a profound cry for justice, understanding, and the clearing of his reputation, a fundamental human need when facing hardship or injustice, echoing the psalmist's cries for God to hear his plea in [Psalm 142:1](/psalm/142-1 "Psalm 142:1 - A Prayer When Overwhelmed").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plead (Hebrew, _rîḇ_):** This verb signifies a legal dispute, contention, or argument, often in a courtroom setting. It implies a formal process of presenting a case, making accusations, or defending oneself. In Job 23:6, Job imagines himself in a divine courtroom, ready to engage in a legitimate legal contest with God. The term highlights the judicial framework through which Job understands his relationship with God in his suffering. He is not merely complaining but seeking a formal hearing and resolution.
* **Put strength (Hebrew, _śîm kōaḥ_):** Literally meaning "to place strength" or "to set power." This phrase denotes an act of impartation, an active giving or bestowing of power, courage, or resilience. It is not merely a passive reception of strength but an intentional act by God to equip Job. This is a crucial counterpoint to Job's initial rhetorical question, transforming the potential for divine opposition into an expectation of divine empowerment, enabling him to stand firm and speak clearly before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Will he plead against me with [his] great power?"**: This opening clause is a rhetorical question, expressing Job's initial consideration of how God might respond in a direct encounter. The phrase "great power" (`עֹצֶם כֹּחַ`, _‘ōṣem kōaḥ_) emphasizes God's absolute omnipotence and overwhelming might. Job contemplates the terrifying possibility that God, with His infinite strength, would use it to crush him, silence him, or overwhelmingly argue against him in a legal dispute, rendering his own defense futile. This question reveals Job's awareness of God's transcendence and the vast disparity between Creator and creature.
* **"No; but he would put [strength] in me."**: This is Job's immediate and defiant answer, a profound declaration of faith that counters his own rhetorical question. The "No; but" introduces a strong antithesis, rejecting the notion of God's power being used for oppression. Instead, Job asserts that God would actively "put strength" in him. This strength is not just physical endurance but spiritual, intellectual, and emotional fortitude—the capacity to stand, speak, and endure the divine encounter. It reflects Job's deep conviction that God's ultimate character is just and sustaining, even when His ways are inscrutable.

#### Literary Devices
Job 23:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological tension and resolution. The verse begins with a **Rhetorical Question** ("Will he plead against me with [his] great power?"), which serves to introduce a terrifying possibility and immediately set up the dramatic tension. This question is then answered with a powerful **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, signaled by the "No; but" construction. This stark juxtaposition highlights the radical shift in Job's expectation: from God's power being used *against* him to being used *for* him. The entire verse is framed within a pervasive **Legal Metaphor** or **Courtroom Imagery**, as Job envisions a divine trial where he presents his case and God acts as both judge and potential adversary. This metaphor allows Job to articulate his longing for justice and vindication. Finally, the verse uses **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human-like actions to God—"pleading" and "putting strength." This makes the divine encounter more relatable and underscores Job's personal, relational struggle with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 23:6 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God and the resilience of faith. It challenges the simplistic view of divine power as solely punitive or overwhelming, asserting instead that God's might can be a source of empowerment for the suffering believer. Job's conviction that God would strengthen him, rather than crush him, speaks to a deep, if struggling, understanding of God's compassionate character and His desire for justice. This perspective anticipates later biblical revelations where God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, transforming adversity into an opportunity for divine grace and sustenance. It underscores the truth that even in our darkest moments, when we feel utterly helpless and misunderstood, God is not an oppressive judge but a compassionate listener who can grant us the very strength needed to endure and even to articulate our honest struggles before Him.

* [Isaiah 40:29](/isaiah/40-29 "Isaiah 40:29 - God Gives Power to the Faint")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 23:6 provides profound encouragement for anyone facing overwhelming difficulties, feeling misunderstood, or grappling with deep questions about God's purposes in suffering. It challenges us to move beyond a fear-based understanding of God's power and to embrace a faith that trusts in His character, even when His actions are inscrutable. Job's bold expectation that God would *strengthen* him, rather than condemn him, invites us to approach God with our rawest emotions, our deepest doubts, and our most fervent laments, confident that He is not an adversary but a compassionate Father who desires to sustain and empower us through our trials. Our confidence should rest not in our own ability to understand or control our circumstances, but in God's unwavering justice and mercy, knowing that He will provide the grace and fortitude needed for each step of our journey. This verse reminds us that true faith is not the absence of questions but the courage to bring those questions directly to God, trusting that His ultimate desire is to uphold and empower His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed or weak, and how might Job 23:6 encourage you to expect God's strength rather than His judgment?**
* **How does Job's willingness to "plead his case" before God challenge your own approach to prayer and lament in times of suffering?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of God's power, particularly in contrast to how human power is often wielded?**
* **How can remembering God's character, as Job does here, help you maintain faith when circumstances seem to contradict His goodness?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job believe God would empower him rather than crush him, especially given his intense suffering?**

Answer: Job's belief stems from a deep, albeit struggling, conviction in God's fundamental justice and righteousness, which transcends his immediate experience of suffering. Despite feeling unjustly afflicted and abandoned, Job refuses to believe that God, who is inherently just, would use His infinite power to unfairly condemn an innocent man in a legal dispute. He holds onto the hope that God's character is ultimately good and that a just judge would not merely crush the accused but would provide the means for a fair hearing. This expectation is a testament to Job's enduring faith, which sees God's power not only as awe-inspiring but also as potentially redemptive and enabling. It's a paradoxical faith that, even in the midst of despair, clings to the hope of divine vindication and empowerment, reflecting a profound trust in God's moral integrity, as seen in his earlier declaration, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" [Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Job's Trust in God Amidst Suffering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate longing for a just encounter with God, where he might present his case and receive strength rather than condemnation, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job yearned for an advocate, a mediator who could bridge the infinite gap between himself and a sovereign God, someone who would not use divine power to crush him but to empower him. Jesus is precisely this divine-human mediator, the one who stands between God and humanity, not as an accuser but as our perfect advocate [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Our Advocate"). Unlike the courtroom Job imagined, where he would need to argue his innocence, Christ has already secured our vindication through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. He did not come to plead *against* us with great power but to *impart* strength to us, enabling us to stand before God, not on our own merit, but clothed in His righteousness [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness"). Furthermore, Christ Himself experienced profound suffering, yet was strengthened by the Father to endure the cross [Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience"), demonstrating that God's power is indeed perfected in weakness. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ continues to "put strength in us," empowering believers to face trials, articulate their faith, and live righteously, fulfilling Job's deepest, albeit imperfect, hope for divine empowerment [Colossians 1:11](/colossians/1-11 "Colossians 1:11 - Strengthened with All Might").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 9:33

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, [that] might lay his hand upon us both.

Job 9:34

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

2 Corinthians 12:9

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.

2 Corinthians 12:10

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 9:4

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

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: