The Meaning of Job 23:8 Explained

Job 23:8

KJV: Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

YLT: Lo, forward I go -- and He is not, And backward -- and I perceive him not.

Darby: Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;

ASV: Behold, I go forward, but he is not there ; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Behold, I go  forward,  but he [is] not [there]; and backward,  but I cannot perceive  him: 

What does Job 23:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Job 23:1-17 - "he Knoweth The Way That I Take"
This chapter is threaded by a sublime faith. Job admitted that his complaint seemed rebellious, but God's hand had been heavy on him. From the misunderstandings of his friends, he longs for the calm, holy presence of God Himself.
It seemed as if nothing would content the sufferer but a personal audience with the Almighty. He felt that he could plead his cause there without fear. He was sure that his Almighty Judge would not contend against him with His great power, but would listen to him. Yet it seemed impossible to find Him. Job did not realize that he was already in God's audience-room. We are made nigh through Jesus Christ. God hides Himself, because mortal eyes could not bear the burning glory of His presence. But though we fail to see Him, we are never for a moment out of His view. He knows the way that we take. Speak to Him, weary, suffering soul; the Lord is at hand!
It was not a mere self-righteous boast that the sufferer made in Job 23:7; Job 23:11-12. David also used similar words of himself, Psalms 18:20-23. We are always sinners, needing the precious blood; but we may be very thankful if we have been kept from "the great transgression." Yet the perfect man is still troubled in the divine presence, and his heart becomes faint, Job 23:15-16, unless he can claim something more than creature or natural goodness. "On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand." [source]

Chapter Summary: Job 23

1  Job longs to appear before God
6  in confidence of his mercy
8  God, who is invisible, observes our ways
11  Job's innocence
13  God's decree is immutable

What do the individual words in Job 23:8 mean?

Look forward I go but He is not [there] and backward but cannot I perceive Him
הֵ֤ן קֶ֣דֶם אֶהֱלֹ֣ךְ וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וְ֝אָח֗וֹר וְֽלֹא־ אָבִ֥ין לֽוֹ

הֵ֤ן  Look 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הֵן  
Sense: behold, lo, though hypothetical part.
קֶ֣דֶם  forward 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֶדֶם 
Sense: east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime.
אֶהֱלֹ֣ךְ  I  go 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ  but  He  is  not  [there] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, third person masculine singular
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
וְ֝אָח֗וֹר  and  backward 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָחֹור  
Sense: the back side, the rear.
וְֽלֹא־  but  cannot 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אָבִ֥ין  I  perceive 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.