Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand. New Living Translation If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times? English Standard Version If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. Berean Standard Bible If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. King James Bible If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. New King James Version If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. New American Standard Bible “If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times. NASB 1995 “If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times. NASB 1977 “If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times. Legacy Standard Bible If one desired to contend with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times. Amplified Bible “If one should want to contend or dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times. Christian Standard Bible If one wanted to take him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times. Holman Christian Standard Bible If one wanted to take Him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times. American Standard Version If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand. Contemporary English Version Not once in a thousand times could we win our case if we took him to court. English Revised Version If he be pleased to contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. GOD'S WORD® Translation If he wished to debate with God, he wouldn't be able to answer one question in a thousand. Good News Translation How can anyone argue with him? He can ask a thousand questions that no one could ever answer. International Standard Version If one were to seek to argue with him, he won't be able to answer him even once in a thousand times. Majority Standard Bible If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. NET Bible If someone wishes to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand. New Heart English Bible If he is pleased to contend with him, he can't answer him one time in a thousand. Webster's Bible Translation If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. World English Bible If he is pleased to contend with him, he can’t answer him one time in a thousand. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf he delights to strive with Him—He does not answer him one of a thousand. Young's Literal Translation If he delight to strive with Him -- He doth not answer him one of a thousand. Smith's Literal Translation If he shall desire to contend with him, he shall not answer him one from a thousand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one for a thousand. Catholic Public Domain Version If he chooses to contend with him, he is not able to respond to him once out of a thousand times. New American Bible Should one wish to contend with him, he could not answer him once in a thousand times. New Revised Standard Version If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf he should contend with him, he cannot answer him one out of a thousand. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If he will desire to judge his people, not one of a thousand answers him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If one should desire to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one of a thousand. Brenton Septuagint Translation For if he would enter into judgment with him, God would not hearken to him, so that he should answer to one of his charges of a thousand. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job: How Can I Argue with God?…2“Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God? 3If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. 4God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?… Cross References Isaiah 40:14 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? 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 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’? Job 33:13 Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks? Ecclesiastes 6:10 Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man is; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he. Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? 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. Job 40:2 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” Job 23:13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. Job 11:7 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? Job 25:4 How then can a man be just before God? How can one born of woman be pure? Psalm 143:2 Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You. Isaiah 64:6 Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. Treasury of Scripture If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. he will contend Job 9:20,32,33 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse… Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. Job 23:3-7 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! … he cannot Psalm 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Psalm 40:12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Jump to Previous Able Choose Contend Delight Desire Desiring Dispute Law Once Pleased Questions Strive Thousand Time Times WishedJump to Next Able Choose Contend Delight Desire Desiring Dispute Law Once Pleased Questions Strive Thousand Time Times WishedJob 9 1. Job acknowledges God's justice22. Man's innocence is not to be condemned by afflictions If one wished to contend with God This phrase highlights the futility of arguing or disputing with God, emphasizing His supreme authority and wisdom. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is responding to his friends, who suggest that his suffering is due to sin. Job acknowledges the impossibility of contending with God, reflecting the belief in God's omnipotence and sovereignty. This idea is echoed in Isaiah 45:9, where the prophet warns against striving with the Creator. The cultural context of the ancient Near East often depicted gods as powerful beings beyond human challenge, reinforcing the notion of divine supremacy. he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and unwavering faith. 2. God The Almighty Creator, whom Job acknowledges as sovereign and beyond human comprehension or challenge. 3. Job's Friends Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the broader context. They attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often missing the deeper truths about God's nature. 4. Heavenly Court The setting at the beginning of the Book of Job, where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness, setting the stage for Job's trials. 5. Suffering and Trials The events that Job endures, including loss of wealth, family, and health, which prompt his deep reflections on God's justice and power. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and WisdomRecognize that God's wisdom and plans are beyond human understanding. We must approach Him with humility, acknowledging our limitations. Human Limitations Understand that our ability to question or contend with God is limited. We should focus on trusting His character and purposes, even when we don't understand our circumstances. Faith in Trials Like Job, maintain faith and integrity during trials. Trust that God is just and good, even when life seems unfair or incomprehensible. The Importance of Humility Approach God with a humble heart, recognizing that we cannot answer or challenge Him. This humility should lead us to seek His guidance and wisdom in our lives.(3) If he will contend with him.--If man choose to contend with God, he cannot answer Him one question of a thousand, once in a thousand times.Verse 3. - If he will contend with him; rather, if he should desire to contend with him; i.e. if, notwithstanding his knowledge of his own weakness and guilt, he should nevertheless be mad enough to desire to contend with God, then he will find that he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Of the charges which God might in his omniscience bring against him, he could not make a satisfactory reply to one in a thousand. It is not that Job admits any special guilt in himself; but such he feels to be the universal condition of humanity. "All have sinned in ten thousand ways, "and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not one wished יַ֭חְפֹּץ (yaḥ·pōṣ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire to contend לָרִ֣יב (lā·rîḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend with [God], עִמּ֑וֹ (‘im·mōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with he could not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no answer Him יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ (ya·‘ă·nen·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond one [time] אַחַ֥ת (’a·ḥaṯ) Number - feminine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first out מִנִּי־ (min·nî-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of of a thousand. אָֽלֶף׃ (’ā·lep̄) Number - masculine singular Strong's 505: A thousand Links Job 9:3 NIVJob 9:3 NLT Job 9:3 ESV Job 9:3 NASB Job 9:3 KJV Job 9:3 BibleApps.com Job 9:3 Biblia Paralela Job 9:3 Chinese Bible Job 9:3 French Bible Job 9:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 9:3 If he is pleased to contend (Jb) |
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