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Job 23:8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 23:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there]; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
Job 23:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
11My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
← Job 23:7Job 23:9 →
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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
“Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there], etc.] Job here returns to what he had said before, (<182303>Job 23:3); as Jarchi observes, where he expresses his earnest desire after God, that he might know where he was, and come up to his seat; here he relates the various ways he took to find him, and his fruitless search of him. Cocceius thinks, by these phrases “forward” and “backward”, are meant times future and past; and that the sense is, that Job looked into the future times of the Messiah, and the grace promised him, his living Redeemer, that should stand on the earth in the latter day; and that he looked back to the ages before him, and to the first promise made to Adam; but could…”
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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
“But I wish in vain. For "behold," &c. forward . . . backward--rather, "to the east--to the west." The Hebrew geographers faced the east, that is, sunrise: not the north, as we do. So "before" means east: "behind," west (so the Hindus). Para, "before"--east: Apara, "behind"--west: Daschina, "the right hand"--south: Bama, "left"--north. A similar reference to sunrise appears in the name Asia, "sunrise," Europe, "sunset"; pure Babylonian names, as RAWLINSON shows.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, I go forward - The meaning of these verses is, I go in all directions, but I cannot find God. I am excluded from the trial which I seek, and I cannot bring my cause to his throne. Job expresses his earnest desire to see some visible manifestation of the Deity, and to be permitted to argue his cause in his presence. But he says he sought this in vain. He looked to all points of the compass where he might rationally expect to find God, but all in vain. The terms here used refer to the points of the compass, and should have been so rendered. The Oriental geographers considered themselves as facing the East, instead of the North, as we do. Of course, the West was behind them, the South…”
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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
“Is not - As a judge to hear and determine my causes, otherwise he knew God was essentially present in all places. Job 23:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Job 9:11; Psa 10:1, Psa 13:1-3; Isa 45:15; Ti1 6:16 Job 23:9”
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Related study paths

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