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Job 16:19

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 16:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
Job 16:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
18O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no [resting] -place.
19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
20My friends scoff at me: [But] mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
21That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
22For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Also now, behold, my witness [is] in heaven, etc.] That is, God, who dwells in the heavens, where his throne is, and which is the habitation of his holiness, and from whence he beholds all the sons of men, and their actions, is the all seeing and all knowing Being; and therefore Job appeals to him as his witness, if he was guilty of the things laid to his charge, to bear witness against him, but if not to be a witness for him, which he believed he would, and desired he might: for my record [is] on high; or “my testimony”; that can testify for me; who is an “eyewitness” f664, as some render it, before whom all things are naked and open; who has seen all my actions, even the very inmost…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Also now--Even now, when I am so greatly misunderstood on earth, God in heaven is sensible of my innocence. record--Hebrew, "in the high places"; Hebrew, "my witness." Amidst all his impatience, Job still trusts in God.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My witness is in heaven - That is, I can appeal to God for my sincerity. He is my witness; and he will bear record for me. This is an evidence of returning confidence in God - to which Job always returns even after the most passionate and irreverent expressions. Such is his real trust in God, that though he is betrayed at times into expressions of impatience and irreverence, yet he is sure to return to calmer views, and to show that he has true confidence in the Most High. The strength, the power, and the point of his expressions of passion and impatience are against his “friends;” but they “sometimes” terminate on God, as if even he was leagued with them against him. But he still had…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Witness - Besides the witness of my conscience, God is witness of my integrity. Job 16:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:19-21 my witness is in heaven: Job wished for a benevolent third party who would mediate between him and God (see 9:32-35). Job wanted an advocate from heaven (16:19; cp. Zech 3:1) who would eventually stand on the earth (Job 19:25; cp. 1 Sam 24:15; John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 Jn 2:1).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“my witness: Sa1 12:5; Rom 1:9, Rom 9:1; Co2 1:23, Co2 11:31; Th1 2:10 on high: Heb. in the high places, Job 25:2; Psa 113:5 Job 16:20”
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Related study paths

Read Job 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification