Job 33:13
New International Version
Why do you complain to him that he responds to no one’s words?

New Living Translation
So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?

English Standard Version
Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of man’s words’?

Berean Standard Bible
Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

King James Bible
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

New King James Version
Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.

New American Standard Bible
“Why do you complain to Him That He does not give an account of all His doings?

NASB 1995
“Why do you complain against Him That He does not give an account of all His doings?

NASB 1977
“Why do you complain against Him, That He does not give an account of all His doings?

Legacy Standard Bible
“Why do you contend against Him? For He does not give an answer for all His doings.

Amplified Bible
“Why do you complain against Him? That He does not answer [you with] all His doings.

Christian Standard Bible
Why do you take him to court for not answering anything a person asks?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why do you take Him to court for not answering anything a person asks?

American Standard Version
Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?

Contemporary English Version
So why do you challenge God to answer you?

English Revised Version
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Why do you quarrel with him since he doesn't answer any questions?

Good News Translation
Why do you accuse God of never answering our complaints?

International Standard Version
Why are you arguing with him? He doesn't have to give explanations for what he does to you!

Majority Standard Bible
Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

NET Bible
Why do you contend against him, that he does not answer all a person's words?

New Heart English Bible
Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?

Webster's Bible Translation
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

World English Bible
Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Why have you striven against Him, "" When [for] all His matters He does not answer?

Young's Literal Translation
Wherefore against Him hast thou striven, When for all His matters He answereth not?

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore didst thou contend against him? for he will not answer all his words.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Dost thou strive against him, because he hath not answered thee to all words?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do you contend against him because he has not responded to all of your words?

New American Bible
Why, then, do you make complaint against him that he gives no reply to their words?

New Revised Standard Version
Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of my words’?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why do you strive with him, seeing that he does not give an account of any of his matters?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Why have you sued with him, and in all his statements he has not answered?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Why hast thou striven against Him? Seeing that He will not answer any of his words.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But thou sayest, Why has he not heard every word of my cause?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Rebukes Job
12Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. 13Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks? 14For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.…

Cross References
Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Romans 9:20
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Jeremiah 18:6
“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Ecclesiastes 8:4
For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Isaiah 29:16
You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?

Romans 11:34
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

1 Corinthians 2:16
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Isaiah 40:13-14
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?

Psalm 115:3
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

Psalm 135:6
The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Lamentations 3:37-38
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it? / Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?

Matthew 20:15
Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’


Treasury of Scripture

Why do you strive against him? for he gives not account of any of his matters.

strive

Job 9:14
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

Job 15:25,26
For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty…

Isaiah 45:9
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

giveth not account.

Job 40:2
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Psalm 62:11
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

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Account Answers Cause Complain Contend Doings Forward Gives Matters Strive Striven Will Words
Job 33
1. Elihu offers himself instead of God to reason with Job
8. He excuses God from giving man an account of his ways, by his greatness
14. God calls man to repentance by visions, by afflictions, and by his ministry
31. He incites Job to attention














Why do you contend
The Hebrew word for "contend" is "רִיב" (riv), which means to strive, dispute, or argue. In the context of Job, this word suggests a legal or judicial confrontation. Job is portrayed as questioning God's justice and fairness, which is a common human response when faced with suffering. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking justice through legal disputes. Theologically, it challenges believers to consider the appropriateness of questioning God's actions, encouraging a posture of humility and trust in divine wisdom.

with Him
The pronoun "Him" refers to God, the central figure in the discourse of Job. This highlights the personal nature of Job's struggle; it is not merely a philosophical debate but a deeply personal wrestling with the Creator. In the broader scriptural context, this reflects the intimate relationship between God and humanity, where God is not distant but actively involved in the lives of His people. It invites believers to engage with God directly, even in times of doubt and confusion.

that He answers not
The phrase "answers not" suggests silence or a lack of response from God. In Hebrew, the word "עָנָה" (anah) means to answer or respond. Job's complaint is that God seems silent in the face of his suffering. This silence can be seen as a test of faith, a theme prevalent throughout scripture. It challenges believers to trust in God's presence and purpose, even when He seems silent, reminding them of the importance of faith and patience.

for all His ways
The term "ways" in Hebrew is "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh), which means path, journey, or manner of life. This phrase encompasses God's actions, decisions, and the unfolding of His divine plan. Historically, it reflects the belief in God's sovereignty and the mystery of His providence. Scripturally, it aligns with the understanding that God's ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). It encourages believers to trust in God's overarching plan, even when individual circumstances are difficult to understand.

(13) Why dost thou strive against him?--Job had not striven against God, he had only expressed his longing to come into judgment with Him (Job 23:3, &c.). Job was striving with and against the darkness that was round about His throne, not with the justice of God, which he entirely trusted. Some render the last clause of the verse, "For none can answer any of His words," but the Authorised Version seems preferable.

Verse 13. - Why dost thou strive against him? Why dost thou insist on taking the attitude of one who contends with God, who would fain enter into a controversy with him, and force him to plead in his own defence? It is not alone his omnipotence that makes such conduct folly, but his remoteness, his inaccessibility. He cannot be forced to make answer; it is not his wont to do so; he giveth not account of any of his matters. It is presumptuous to suppose that God will condescend to reveal himself from heaven and make answer to thy overbold challenges.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Why
מַ֭דּוּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

do you contend
רִיב֑וֹתָ (rî·ḇō·w·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend

with Him
אֵלָ֣יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He answers
יַעֲנֶֽה׃ (ya·‘ă·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

nothing
לֹ֣א־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

a man asks?
דְּ֝בָרָ֗יו (də·ḇā·rāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Poetry: Job 33:13 Why do you strive against him because (Jb)
Job 33:12
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