TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Job 9 verses 14–21
What Job had said of man's utter inability to contend with God he here applies to himself, and in effect despairs of gaining his favour, which (some think) arises from the hard thoughts he had of God, as one who, having set himself against him, right or wrong, would be too hard for him. I rather think it arises from the sense he had of the imperfection of his own righteousness, and the dark and cloudy apprehensions which at present he had of God's displeasure against him.
I. He durst not dispute with God (Job 9:14): "If the proud helpers do stoop under him, how much less shall I (a poor weak creature, so far from being a helper that I am very helpless) answer him? What can I say against that which God does? If I go about to reason with him, he will certainly be too hard for me." If the potter make the clay into a vessel of dishonour, or break in pieces the vessel he has made, shall the clay or the broken vessel reason with him? So absurd is the man who replies against God, or thinks to talk the matter out with him. No, let all flesh be silent before him.
II. He durst not insist upon his own justification before God. Though he vindicated his own integrity to his friends, and would not yield that he was a hypocrite and a wicked man, as they suggested, yet he would never plead it as his righteousness before God. "I will never venture upon the covenant of innocency, nor think to come off by virtue of that." Job knew so much of God, and knew so much of himself, that he durst not insist upon his own justification before God.
1.He knew so much of God that he durst not stand a trial with him, Job 9:15-19. He knew how to make his part good with his friends, and thought himself able to deal with them; but, though his cause had been better than it was, he knew it was to no purpose to debate it with God. (1.) God knew him better than he knew himself and therefore (Job 9:15), "Though I were righteous in my own apprehension, and my own heart did not condemn me, yet God is greater than my heart, and knows those secret faults and errors of mine which I do not and cannot understand, and is able to charge me with them, and therefore I would not answer." St. Paul speaks to the same purport: I know nothing by myself, am not conscious to myself of any reigning wickedness, and yet I am not hereby justified, Co1 4:4. "I dare not put myself upon that issue, lest God should charge that upon me which I did not discover in myself." Job will therefore wave that plea, and make supplication to his Judge, that is, will cast himself upon God's mercy, and not think come off by his own merit. (2.) He had no reason to think that there was anything in his prayers to recommend them to the divine acceptance, or to fetch in an answer of peace, no worth or worthiness at all to which to ascribe their success, but it must be attributed purely to the grace and compassion of God, who answers before we call and not because we call, and gives gracious answers to our prayers, but not for our prayers (Job 9:16): "If I had called, and he had answered, had given the thing I called to him for, yet, so weak and defective are my best prayers, that I would not believe he had therein hearkened to my voice; I could not say that he had saved with his right hand and answered me" (Psa 60:5), "but that he did it purely for his own name's sake." Bishop Patrick expounds it thus: "If I had made supplication, and he had granted my desire, I would not think my prayer had done the business." Not for your sakes, be it known to you. (3.) His present miseries, which God had brought him into notwithstanding his integrity, gave him too sensible a conviction that, in the ordering and disposing of men's outward condition in this world, God acts by sovereignty, and, though he never does wrong to any, yet he does not ever give full right to all (that is, the best do not always fare best, nor the worst fare worst) in this life, because he reserves the full and exact distribution of rewards and punishments for the future state. Job was not conscious to himself of any extraordinary guilt, and yet fell under extraordinary afflictions, Job 9:17, Job 9:18. Every man must expect the wind to blow upon him and ruffle him, but Job was broken with a tempest. Every man, in the midst of these thorns and briers, must expect to be scratched; but Job was wounded, and his wounds were multiplied. Every man must expect a cross daily, and to taste sometimes of the bitter cup; but poor Job's troubles came so thickly upon him that he had no breathing time, and he was filled with bitterness. And he presumes to say that all this was without cause, without any great provocation given. We have made the best of what Job said hitherto, though contrary to the judgment of many good interpreters; but here, no doubt, he spoke unadvisedly with his lips; he reflected on God's goodness in saying that he was not suffered to take his breath (while yet he had such good use of his reason and speech as to be able to talk thus) and on his justice in saying that it was without cause. Yet it is true that as, on the one hand, there are many who are chargeable with more sin than the common infirmities of human nature, and yet feel no more sorrow than that of the common calamities of human life, so, on the other hand, there are many who feel more than the common calamities of human life and yet are conscious to themselves of no more than the common infirmities of human nature. (4.) He was in no capacity at all to make his part good with God, Job 9:19. [1.] Not by force of arms. "I dare not enter the lists with the Almighty; for if I speak of strength, and think to come off by that, lo, he is strong, stronger than I, and will certainly overpower me." There is no disputing (said one once to Caesar) with him that commands legions. Much less is there any with him that has legions of angels at command. Can thy heart endure (thy courage and presence of mind) or can thy hands be strong to defend thyself, in the days that I shall deal with thee? Eze 22:14. [2.] Not by force of arguments. "I dare not try the merits of the cause. If I speak of judgment, and insist upon my right, who will set me a time to plead? There is no higher power to which I may appeal, no superior court to appoint a hearing of the cause; for he is supreme and from him proceeds every man's judgment, which he must abide by."
2.He knew so much of himself the he durst not stand a trial, Job 9:20, Job 9:21. "If I go about to justify myself, and to plead a righteousness of my own, my defence will be my offence, and my own mouth shall condemn me even when it goes about to acquit me." A good man, who knows the deceitfulness of his own heart, and is jealous over it with a godly jealousy, and has often discovered that amiss there which had long lain undiscovered, is suspicious of more evil in himself than he is really conscious of, and therefore will by no means think of justifying himself before God. If we say we have no sin, we not only deceive ourselves, but we affront God; for we sin in saying so, and give the lie to the scripture, which has concluded all under sin. "If I say, I am perfect, I am sinless, God has nothing to lay to my charge, my very saying so shall prove me perverse, proud, ignorant, and presumptuous. Nay, though I were perfect, though God should pronounce me just, yet would I not know my soul, I would not be in care about the prolonging of my life while it is loaded with all these miseries." Or, "Though I were free from gross sin, though my conscience should not charge me with any enormous crime, yet would I not believe my own heart so far as to insist upon my innocency nor think my life worth striving for with God." In short, it is folly to contend with God, and our wisdom, as well as duty, to submit to him and throw ourselves at his feet.
“He will not let me catch my breath.” That is, I am filled with a multitude of afflictions. “He has filled me with bitterness, for indeed he is superior in power. Who, then, shall resist his judgment?” Job does not want to say simply that God is superior to him in power but also that God is able to do whatever he wants.
34. It is often an exercise of virtue to the just, to be subject to ills from without by themselves; but that the conflict of a complete trial may discipline their powers, sometimes at one and the same time they are rent with torments without, and chastened with temptations within. Hence the holy man declares himself to be full of bitterness, in that whilst he is bearing scourges outwardly, there is a heavier weight, which from the adversary's tempting he carries in his interior; but withal the force of his sorrow is abated by considering the equity and the power of the Smiter.
Continue studying Job 9:18 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Job 9:18 vividly captures the profound anguish of Job, who perceives God as relentlessly afflicting him, denying him even the briefest moment of respite. This verse powerfully conveys Job's feeling of being suffocated by suffering, as if the Almighty Himself is actively preventing him from catching his breath, while simultaneously inundating his very being with a pervasive sense of grief, injustice, and despair. It is a desperate cry from a man utterly overwhelmed by inexplicable pain, attributing his torment directly to a powerful, unyielding divine hand.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 9:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Job's intense suffering. Hyperbole is evident in Job's claim that he cannot "take his breath," an exaggeration that vividly portrays the overwhelming and suffocating nature of his distress, implying a complete lack of respite. The phrase "filleth me with bitterness" is a potent Metaphor, where bitterness, an abstract emotion, is treated as a tangible substance that can be poured into and fill a person. This metaphor effectively communicates the pervasive and consuming quality of his grief and despair, suggesting an internal saturation. Furthermore, the verse functions as a profound Lament, a common genre in biblical literature where an individual expresses deep sorrow, complaint, and petition to God in the midst of suffering. Job's words are a raw, unvarnished outpouring of his soul, characteristic of this literary form, demonstrating the depth of his spiritual and emotional crisis.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 9:18 stands as a poignant testament to the human experience of inexplicable suffering and the profound theological questions it raises. It confronts the tension between God's absolute sovereignty and human experience of pain, particularly when that pain seems undeserved. Job's lament highlights the mystery of suffering, demonstrating that even the righteous can endure immense hardship without clear explanation or immediate relief. His perception of God as an adversary, though ultimately incomplete, underscores the raw honesty permitted in biblical lament, where individuals are free to express their deepest confusion and despair to the Almighty. This verse invites us to grapple with the complexities of divine justice and the limits of human understanding in the face of God's vastness, recognizing that faith can coexist with profound questions and even accusations.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's cry in Job 9:18 resonates deeply with anyone who has faced prolonged, seemingly inexplicable suffering. It provides a powerful validation for the raw, honest expression of pain, even when directed at God. In moments of overwhelming adversity, it is natural to feel suffocated, despairing, and even to question God's actions or perceived absence. Job's lament reminds us that faith does not preclude anguish; rather, it often involves bringing our brokenness and confusion directly before God. His journey, while initially marked by bitterness, ultimately leads to a deeper, more profound understanding of God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when His ways remain beyond full human comprehension. This verse encourages us to be authentic in our suffering, trusting that God can handle our deepest laments and will, in His time and way, bring clarity, comfort, and renewed perspective. It challenges us to hold onto hope even when we feel overwhelmed, knowing that our cries are heard, and our pain is not unnoticed by the God who understands suffering intimately.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does Job's bitter complaint in Job 9:18 mean he has lost his faith or is rebelling against God?
Answer: Job's lament in Job 9:18 is an expression of profound despair and confusion, not necessarily a complete abandonment of faith. Throughout the book, even in his most bitter complaints, Job continues to address God, indicating a persistent, albeit struggling, relationship. His words are a raw, honest outpouring of a man grappling with immense, inexplicable suffering while still believing in God's existence and power. This is characteristic of biblical lament, a genre found extensively in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 13) where the faithful express their pain, confusion, and even anger to God, often concluding with an act of trust or hope. Job's complaints are a desperate attempt to understand God's actions and plead his case, rather than a definitive rejection of God. Ultimately, the book reveals that Job's faith, though tested to its limits, endures, leading to a deeper encounter with God (Job 42:5).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 9:18, with its raw depiction of undeserved suffering and perceived divine abandonment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job, a righteous man, laments being denied "breath" and filled with "bitterness" by God, a powerful foreshadowing of the innocent suffering of the only truly righteous man, Jesus. On the cross, Jesus experienced the ultimate denial of "breath" as He gave up His spirit (Luke 23:46), and He was truly "filled with bitterness" as He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and God's wrath, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). Unlike Job, whose suffering was a mystery, Christ's suffering was a deliberate, redemptive act. He became sin for us, enduring the bitterness of divine judgment so that we might receive the sweetness of God's grace and the true "breath" of new life in the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Christ, our laments are heard, our bitterness is transformed, and we find the ultimate rest and peace that Job so desperately sought but could not find in his own strength (Matthew 11:28-30). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, absorbing all its bitterness into Himself and offering us eternal life (John 1:29).