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Job 23:7

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 23:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
Job 23:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.
6Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
7There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
9On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
10But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
← Job 23:6Job 23:8 →
← Full Chapter 23 Job Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“There the righteous might dispute with him, etc.] That is, at his seat, either at his mercy seat, where even God allows sinners to come and reason with him, for pardoning grace and mercy, upon the foot of his own declarations and promises, and the blood and sacrifice of his son, (<230118>Isaiah 1:18); or at his judgment seat, pleading the righteousness of Christ, which is fully satisfactory to law and justice. Job most probably means himself by the righteous or upright man, being conscious to himself of his sincerity and integrity; and relying on this, he feared not to appear before God as a Judge, and reason his case before him, dispute the matter with him, and in his presence, which was in…”
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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
“There--rather, "Then": if God would "attend" to me (Job 23:6). righteous--that is, the result of my dispute would be, He would acknowledge me as righteous. delivered--from suspicion of guilt on the part of my Judge.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There the righteous might dispute with him - One who is conscious of his integrity might carry his cause there, with the assurance that he would be heard, and that justice would be done him. There can be no doubt that Job here refers to himself, though. he speaks in the third person, and advances this as a general proposition. So shall I be delivered forever from my judge - From him who would judge or condemn me (משׁפטי mı̂shâphaṭı̂y). He does not here refer to “God,” as if he would be delivered from him, but to anyone who would attempt to judge and condemn him, as his friends had done. The meaning is, that having, as he confidently expected he would, obtained the verdict of God in his…”
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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
“There - At that throne of grace, where God lays aside his majesty, and judges according to his wonted clemency. Dispute - Humbly propounding the grounds of their confidence. So - Upon such a fair and equal hearing. Delivered - From the damnatory sentence of God. This and some such expressions of Job cannot be excused from irreverence towards God, for which God afterwards reproves him, and Job abhorreth himself. Job 23:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“There: Isa 1:18; Jer 3:5, Jer 12:1 so should: Job 9:15; Rom 3:19-22, Rom 8:1, Rom 8:33, Rom 8:34 Job 23:8”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification