Job 9:32

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 9:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.
Job 9:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For [he is] not a man, as I [am], etc.] For though the parts and members of an human body are sometimes ascribed to him, yet these are to be understood by an anthropopathy, speaking after the manner of men, there being something in him, which in a figurative sense answers to these; otherwise we are not to conceive of any corporeal shape in him, or that there is any likeness to which he is to be compared: he is a spirit infinite, immortal, immense, invisible, pure and holy, just and true, and without iniquity; whereas Job was but a man, a finite, feeble, mortal creature, and a sinful one; and therefore there being such a vast disparity between them, it was in vain to litigate a point with…”
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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
“(Ecc 6:10; Isa 45:9).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For he is not a man as I am - He is infinitely superior to me in majesty and power. The idea is, that the contest would be unequal, and that he might as well surrender without bringing the matter to an issue. It is evident that the disposition of Job to yield, was rather because he saw that God was superior in power than because he saw that he was right, and that he felt that if he had ability to manage the cause as well as God could, the matter would not be so much against him as it was then. That there was no little impropriety of feeling in this, no one can doubt; but have we never had feelings like this when we have been afflicted? Have we never submitted to God because we felt that he…”
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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
“A man - But one infinitely superior to me in majesty, and power, and wisdom, and justice. That - That I should presume to debate my cause with him. Come - Face to face, to plead upon equal terms. Job 9:33”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:32-33 A mediator would not judge God and man but would work to bring them together (see 16:19-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“not a man: Job 33:12, Job 35:5-7; Num 23:19; Sa1 16:7; Ecc 6:10; Isa 45:9; Jer 49:19; Rom 9:20; Jo1 3:20 we should: Job 13:18-23, Job 23:3-7; Psa 143:2 Job 9:33”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification