The Meaning of Job 23:9 Explained

Job 23:9

KJV: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

YLT: To the left in His working -- and I see not, He is covered on the right, and I behold not.

Darby: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I behold him not; he hideth himself on the right hand, and I see him not.

ASV: On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

Discover Job 23:9

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Job 23:9?

MEANING: What does Job 23:9 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Job 23:9 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Job 23:9?

What is the context of Job 23:9?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]:

What does Job 23:9 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 23:9 mean?

On the left hand when He works and cannot I behold [Him] when He turns to the right hand and cannot I see [Him]

שְׂמֹ֣אול בַּעֲשֹׂת֣וֹ וְלֹא־ אָ֑חַז יַעְטֹ֥ף יָ֝מִ֗ין וְלֹ֣א אֶרְאֶֽה

שְׂמֹ֣אול	On the left hand
Parse: Noun, masculine singular Root: שְׂמֹאל Sense: the left, the left hand, the left side.
בַּעֲשֹׂת֣וֹ	when He works
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular Root: עָשָׂה Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
וְלֹא־	and cannot
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle Root: הֲלֹא Sense: not, no.
אָ֑חַז	I behold [Him]
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, first person common singular Root: חָזָה Sense: to see, perceive, look, behold, prophesy, provide.
יַעְטֹ֥ף	when He turns
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: עָטוּף Sense: to turn aside.
יָ֝מִ֗ין	to the right hand
Parse: Noun, feminine singular Root: יָמִין Sense: right, right hand, right side.
וְלֹ֣א	and cannot
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle Root: הֲלֹא Sense: not, no.
אֶרְאֶֽה	I see [Him]
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular Root: רָאָה Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.

What are the major concepts related to Job 23:9?

Loading Information...

Similar Scriptures for Job 23:9

		Psalms 89:46 [3]
		Isaiah 8:17 [3]