ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Job 19

Job 19:1–29 Job responds, asking his friends how long they will persist in accusing him and why they feel no shame for doing so. Even if he has done wrong, it is God who has brought about his circumstances (vv. 2–6). Job laments that his suffering has brought only isolation and indifference from his family and friends (vv. 7–22). Job hopes that his trust in the Lord will be a permanent witness (vv. 23–27). He warns his friends against judging him, lest they fall under the very judgment they assume has fallen on Job (vv. 28–29).

Job 19:2 How long? Job echoes the question from the first line of each of Bildad’s speeches (8:2; 18:2) to draw attention to how his friends have been condemning him.

Job 19:3 Ten times indicates completion, not 10 literal times (compare Gen. 31:7, 41; Num. 14:22).

Job 19:6 Job affirms that God is just, but also that his suffering is not because of his sin. It is God who has allowed or brought about his circumstances.

Job 19:7 I cry out, “Violence!” Habakkuk opens his prophecy with a similar complaint (Hab. 1:2–4).

Job 19:8 He has walled up my way. God’s fence had once kept trouble away from Job (1:10), but it has now become a wall that gives Job no way of escape (compare 3:23).

Job 19:20 by the skin of my teeth. Job has narrowly escaped death.

Job 19:22 Why are you not satisfied with my flesh? Job’s friends seem so convinced that he has sinned and that his suffering represents God’s judgment. Job asks why they continue to pursue him.

Job 19:23–24 Job wishes his words could be recorded as a witness that would remain when he is dead. He refers to two methods of recording: inscribed in a book could refer to a scroll, a book, or a clay tablet; engraved in the rock would provide a more public and permanent record.

Job 19:25–27 For. Job states why he wants his words recorded (see vv. 23–24): I know that my Redeemer lives. The Hebrew word for “Redeemer” often refers to a “kinsman-redeemer” (see Ruth 4:1–6 and Introduction to Ruth). This person had the right and responsibility to protect members of his family. Job believes that God will ultimately declare him innocent.

Job 19:28–29 Job uses the image of the sword to refer to passing judgment. He warns the friends against assuming that they can wield the sword of judgment that belongs to God alone.

Job 19:29 The wrath of the friends is a sin that deserves punishment (see 31:11, 28). False testimony demands the same penalty that would have been given the accused (Deut. 19:16–19). know there is a judgment. The appearance of the Redeemer, says Job, would be bad news for his friends.