Job 9:35

KJV

[Then] would I speak, and not fear him; but [it is] not so with me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then would I speak {H1696}, and not fear {H3372} him; but it is not so with me.

Complete Jewish Bible

then I would speak without fear of him; for when I'm alone, I'm not afraid.

Berean Standard Bible

Then I would speak without fear of Him. But as it is, I am on my own.

American Standard Version

Then would I speak, and not fear him; For I am not so in myself.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job's lament in Job 9:35 encapsulates his profound despair and sense of injustice in the face of God's overwhelming power. He articulates a desperate longing for a scenario where he could present his case without being paralyzed by terror, a condition he acknowledges is currently impossible for him. This verse highlights Job's perceived inability to engage God on equal terms, underscoring his isolation and the perceived futility of defending his innocence before an omnipotent, unchallengeable deity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 9:35 concludes a powerful and poignant section of Job's first response to Bildad, specifically following Bildad's brief and somewhat dismissive speech in [Job 8](/job/8 "Job 8 - Bildad's Speech"). In [Job 9](/job/9 "Job 9 - Job's Response to Bildad"), Job acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty and immense power, describing Him as the Creator who controls all aspects of the cosmos, from the stars to natural disasters, as seen in [Job 9:4-10](/job/9-4-10 "Job 9:4-10 - God's Wisdom and Power"). However, this very power becomes a source of dread for Job, who feels utterly helpless and unable to contend with God in a legal dispute. He perceives God as an overwhelming force, making any attempt to plead his innocence futile. Job expresses a deep longing for an "umpire" or "mediator" who could stand between him and God, allowing for a fair hearing, a desire articulated in [Job 9:32-33](/job/9-32-33 "Job 9:32-33 - Job's Desire for an Umpire"). This verse, [Job 9:35](/job/9-35 "Job 9:35 - Job's Desire for Fearless Speech"), directly follows his despairing admission that no such mediator exists, reinforcing his conviction that he cannot approach God without being overwhelmed by fear and intimidation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location generally understood to be outside of Israel, perhaps in Edom or northern Arabia. This setting, combined with the timeless nature of the dialogue, suggests a wisdom tradition that predates or exists alongside the Mosaic covenant. The legal framework Job envisions—a courtroom setting, a plaintiff, a defendant, and a judge or arbiter—reflects common ancient Near Eastern legal practices. In such contexts, a person accused of wrongdoing would seek a fair hearing, often before a king or a respected elder, to clear their name. However, the "judge" in Job's case is God Himself, the ultimate sovereign, before whom no human can stand on equal footing. The concept of "fear" in this context is not merely awe or reverence but a paralyzing terror stemming from the vast power differential between a finite, suffering human and an infinite, omnipotent God, especially when one feels unjustly accused by that very God.
* **Key Themes:** Job 9:35 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the **inaccessibility of God** from Job's perspective. Job perceives an insurmountable chasm between himself, a suffering human, and the all-powerful Deity. He views God as an unapproachable judge rather than a compassionate defender, making it impossible to present his case or receive a fair hearing, as expressed in [Job 9:19](/job/9-19 "Job 9:19 - God's Irresistible Power"). Secondly, the verse implicitly highlights Job's desperate longing for an **impartial mediator**. This desire is explicitly stated just two verses prior in [Job 9:33](/job/9-33 "Job 9:33 - Job's Desire for an Umpire"), where he laments the absence of an "umpire" to lay a hand on both God and himself. Thirdly, it vividly portrays **human helplessness in the face of divine power**. Job acknowledges God's absolute control and unchallengeable might, as seen in [Job 9:12](/job/9-12 "Job 9:12 - God's Unchallengeable Will"), yet this realization only intensifies his sense of powerlessness and despair regarding his own unjust suffering. Finally, the verse explores the **nature of fear**, specifically a paralyzing terror or intimidation that prevents Job from speaking truthfully or defending himself before what he perceives as an overwhelming divine force, distinct from reverent awe.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This primitive root signifies "to arrange," but is used figuratively of words, meaning "to speak," "to say," or "to declare." In the context of [Job 9:35](/job/9-35 "Job 9:35 - Job's Desire for Fearless Speech"), it refers to Job's profound desire to articulate his defense, to present his case, and to plead his innocence without hindrance or intimidation. It implies a legal or argumentative discourse, where he could freely express his perspective and challenge the perceived injustice of his suffering before God.
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to fear," but also morally "to revere," and causatively "to frighten." In Job's lament, the nuance is overwhelmingly that of paralyzing terror or dread. Job wishes to be free from the oppressive dread that prevents him from speaking freely and openly before God, not from a reverent awe which would be appropriate in a different context. His desire is for a state where the vast power differential does not translate into an incapacitating fear that silences his defense and prevents a fair hearing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then would I speak, and not fear him;":** This clause expresses Job's fervent wish or a hypothetical scenario he desperately longs for. He desires a condition under which he could articulate his defense and present his case to God without being overwhelmed by terror or intimidation. The "him" unequivocally refers to God, the ultimate Judge and the source of Job's perceived distress. This reveals Job's profound sense of vulnerability and the immense power differential he feels exists between himself and the Almighty, which currently prevents him from speaking freely and openly.
* **"but [it is] not so with me.":** This concluding phrase serves as a stark and despairing negation of Job's wish. It acknowledges the harsh reality of his situation: the desired state of fearless speech before God is utterly unattainable for him in his current state. This statement underscores Job's sense of helplessness, isolation, and the perceived futility of attempting to contend with God. It reinforces his belief that he is trapped in an unjust situation with no avenue for a fair hearing, sealing his lament with a tone of resignation and deep sorrow.

#### Literary Devices
Job 9:35 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Job's anguish and despair. The primary device is a **Hypothetical Statement**, where Job posits a desired, but currently unattainable, condition ("Then would I speak, and not fear him"). This is immediately followed by a stark **Antithesis** or **Contrasting Statement** ("but it is not so with me"), which brutally negates the preceding wish and grounds it firmly in his painful reality. This juxtaposition amplifies Job's despair and highlights the insurmountable chasm between his longing for justice and his perceived inability to achieve it. The verse also powerfully uses **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for Job's emotional state—his fear, frustration, and profound sense of powerlessness in the face of divine omnipotence. The language is direct and unadorned, contributing to its raw emotional impact, acting as a concise **Lament** that encapsulates his broader argument in [Job 9](/job/9 "Job 9 - Job's Response to Bildad") regarding God's unchallengeable might and his own vulnerability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's cry in [Job 9:35](/job/9-35 "Job 9:35 - Job's Desire for Fearless Speech") resonates deeply with the universal human experience of feeling overwhelmed by circumstances or by the vastness of God's power. It highlights the profound theological problem of human suffering and the perceived inaccessibility of a just God. Job's longing for a fearless audience with God underscores the inherent human desire for accountability and fairness, even from the divine. The verse implicitly raises critical questions about divine justice, the nature of human-divine interaction, and the possibility of reconciliation when one feels wronged by an omnipotent being. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration of God's character and the ultimate solution to the chasm Job perceives, a solution that only God Himself could provide.

* [Job 9:32-33](/job/9-32-33 "Job 9:32-33 - Job's Desire for an Umpire")
* [Psalm 130:3](/psalms/130-3 "Psalm 130:3 - If You, O Lord, Should Mark Iniquities")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's raw honesty in [Job 9:35](/job/9-35 "Job 9:35 - Job's Desire for Fearless Speech") offers a profound model for our own spiritual lives: it is permissible, even necessary, to voice our deepest fears, frustrations, and sense of injustice to God. The book of Job validates expressing genuine human anguish, even when we do not understand God's ways or feel Him to be distant or overwhelming. This verse challenges us to consider the nature of our own "fear" before God—is it reverent awe that draws us closer, or a paralyzing dread that pushes us away? It invites us to acknowledge our limitations and vulnerability before the Almighty, yet also to recognize that God invites us into relationship, not just judgment. Our journey of faith often involves grappling with seemingly unanswerable questions and feeling overwhelmed, but Job's persistent, albeit anguished, dialogue with God demonstrates the importance of continuing to engage with Him, even in our darkest moments, trusting that He hears and cares.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt overwhelmed or intimidated by God's power, similar to Job's experience?**
* **How does Job's raw honesty in expressing his fear challenge or affirm your own approach to prayer and lament?**
* **What does "fear of God" mean to you, and how does it differ from the paralyzing terror Job describes?**
* **In what ways do you seek to "speak" to God without fear in your own life, knowing He is both mighty and merciful?**

### FAQ
**Why did Job feel such fear towards God, rather than reverence?**

Answer: Job's fear in [Job 9:35](/job/9-35 "Job 9:35 - Job's Desire for Fearless Speech") is distinct from reverent awe. It stems from his perception of God as an unchallengeable, overwhelming power who is seemingly acting against him without cause or explanation. He feels like a defendant before an omnipotent judge who is also his accuser, making any attempt at self-defense futile and terrifying. This is not the "fear of the Lord" that leads to wisdom, but a paralyzing dread born of his intense suffering and his inability to comprehend God's actions or to receive a fair hearing. He longs for a neutral ground where he could present his case without being intimidated into silence by God's sheer might, a scenario he explicitly states is "not so with me."

**Did Job believe God was unjust?**

Answer: Job certainly wrestled with the *appearance* of injustice from God. He consistently maintained his own innocence and could not reconcile his blameless life with the immense suffering he endured. He perceived God as his adversary, striking him down without cause, as he laments in [Job 9:17](/job/9-17 "Job 9:17 - God Crushes Job Without Cause"), and felt that God was not providing him with a fair opportunity to defend himself. While he never fully denied God's existence or ultimate sovereignty, his lamentations throughout the book reveal a profound struggle with God's perceived fairness and justice in his specific situation. He longed for a way to "contend" with God, implying a deep desire for a just resolution to his inexplicable suffering.

**What is the significance of Job's desire for an "umpire" or "mediator" in this context?**

Answer: Job's desperate longing for an "umpire" or "mediator" (explicitly stated in [Job 9:33](/job/9-33 "Job 9:33 - Job's Desire for an Umpire"), just before [Job 9:35](/job/9-35 "Job 9:35 - Job's Desire for Fearless Speech")) highlights his perception of an unbridgeable gap between himself and God. He needs someone to stand between them, to lay a hand on both, to ensure a fair hearing and to prevent God's overwhelming power from silencing him. This desire underscores his sense of helplessness and his inability to approach God on equal terms. It's a cry for an impartial third party to facilitate justice, a concept that finds its ultimate theological fulfillment in the New Testament, where Christ serves as the perfect mediator.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's anguished cry in [Job 9:35](/job/9-35 "Job 9:35 - Job's Desire for Fearless Speech"), expressing his desire to speak without fear before God but acknowledging his inability to do so, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job longed for an "umpire" or "mediator" ([Job 9:33](/job/9-33 "Job 9:33 - Job's Desire for an Umpire")) who could bridge the infinite gap between a holy God and a sinful, suffering human. The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is precisely this mediator, "for there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus" ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ, the One Mediator")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ has removed the barrier of sin and the condemnation that would otherwise cause us to fear God's judgment. He has opened a new and living way for us to approach God's throne not with terror, but with confidence and boldness, knowing that we have an advocate with the Father ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence"); [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")). What was impossible for Job—to speak to God without paralyzing fear—is now made possible for every believer by the grace of God in Christ, transforming paralyzing dread into reverent awe and confident communion, allowing us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Let Us Draw Near")).

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.