Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Lo, he goeth {H5674} by me, and I see {H7200} him not: he passeth on {H2498} also, but I perceive {H995} him not.
He can go right by me, and I don't see him; he moves past without my being aware of him.
Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; were He to move, I would not recognize Him.
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
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Job 23:8
¶ Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: -
Job 23:9
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]: -
Job 35:14
¶ Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, [yet] judgment [is] before him; therefore trust thou in him. -
1 Timothy 6:16
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen. -
Psalms 77:19
Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
Context of Job 9:11
Job 9:11 is part of a lengthy speech by Job, where he responds to Bildad's arguments and begins to articulate his profound struggle with God's justice and power. Having acknowledged God's immense might and wisdom (Job 9:4-10), Job expresses his despair at ever being able to contend with such an omnipotent being. This verse captures his feeling of God's active, yet elusive, presence. Despite God's constant working in the world and in Job's life, Job perceives Him as distant, incomprehensible, and beyond his grasp, intensifying his sense of isolation and bewilderment in suffering.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not" effectively conveys Job's feeling of God's unperceived presence. The Hebrew word `hēn` (הֵן), translated "Lo," is an interjection used to draw attention to a significant or surprising statement, emphasizing the profound irony of sensing God's activity without being able to interact with Him. The verbs "goeth by" (`ya'abor 'alay`, יַעֲבֹר עָלַי) and "passeth on" (`yaḥalof`, יַחֲלֹף) both suggest movement, passing, or sweeping through. The repetition reinforces the idea of God's continuous, dynamic presence that remains unseen and ungrasped by Job, creating a powerful image of divine elusiveness.
Practical Application
Job 9:11 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that: