Job 23:9

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 23:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Job 23:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him], etc.] The northern part of the world, where his seat is, or the circle of the earth, says Bar Tzemach, and who has stretched out the north over the empty place, (<182607>Job 26:7). Jarchi’s note is, when he created it, he did not make it the place of his throne: God works everywhere in a way of providence, but in some places more eminently than in others; the northern part of the world is observed to be more inhabited than the southern, and the people of it to be more active in war and business than elsewhere; and more and greater things are done by God among them as instruments than among any other; and Mr. Caryl observes,…”
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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
“Rather, "To the north." work--God's glorious works are especially seen towards the north region of the sky by one in the northern hemisphere. The antithesis is between God working and yet not being beheld: as in Job 9:11, between "He goeth by," and "I see Him not." If the Hebrew bears it, the parallelism to the second clause is better suited by translating, as UMBREIT, "doth hide himself"; but then the antithesis to "behold" would be lost. right hand--"in the south." hideth--appropriately, of the unexplored south, then regarded as uninhabitable because of its heat (see Job 34:29).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“On the left hand - That is, in the North - at the left hand when the face was turned to the East. So the Chaldee, בצפונא - “on the North.” The other versions, the Vulgate, the Septuagint, the Syriac, Castellio, Luther, etc., render it “on the left hand.” The common term among the Hebrews for the “North” is צפון tsâphôn - (from צפן tsâphan - “to hide,” or “conceal”), meaning the hidden, concealed, or dark region, since the ancients regarded the North as the seat of gloom and darkness, (Homer, Odyssey ix. 25ff), while they supposed the South to be illuminated by the sun. “Gesenius.” Frequently, however, as here, the word “left,” or “left hand,” is used. The region of the North is intended.…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he hideth himself: Psa 89:46; Isa 8:17 Job 23:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification