Can anyone indict me?
In this phrase, Job is asserting his innocence and challenging his accusers. The term "indict" suggests a formal accusation or charge, which in the context of Job's story, refers to the accusations made by his friends who believe his suffering is due to sin. This reflects the legal language often found in the book of Job, where Job's situation is likened to a courtroom trial. Biblically, this echoes the theme of divine justice and the question of why the righteous suffer, a central theme in Job. Job's confidence in his innocence can be compared to the righteousness of Christ, who also faced false accusations (Isaiah 53:7).

If so, I will be silent and die.
Here, Job expresses his willingness to accept the consequences if proven guilty, even to the point of death. This reflects the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, where honor and integrity were highly valued, and a person's word was a matter of life and death. Job's readiness to be silent and die if found guilty underscores his deep conviction of his innocence and his trust in God's ultimate justice. This can be connected to the silence of Jesus before His accusers (Matthew 27:12-14), where He, too, was willing to face death despite His innocence, fulfilling His role as the sacrificial Lamb.

1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He undergoes severe trials and suffering, losing his wealth, children, and health.

2. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who come to comfort Job but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting that his suffering is a result of his sin.

3. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing to prove his faithfulness and integrity.

4. Satan
The adversary who challenges Job's righteousness, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity.

5. The Heavenly Court
The setting at the beginning of the Book of Job where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness.Integrity Before God
Job's confidence in his innocence before God challenges us to live with integrity, knowing that God sees and knows our hearts.

The Futility of Human Accusation
Job's rhetorical question highlights the futility of human accusations when we stand justified before God. We should seek God's approval above all.

Endurance in Trials
Job's willingness to face death rather than falsely confess to sins he did not commit teaches us about enduring trials with steadfast faith.

The Role of Suffering
Job's experience reminds us that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin but can be a test of faith and character.

Confidence in Divine Justice
Job's statement reflects a deep trust in God's ultimate justice, encouraging us to trust in God's righteous judgment over human opinions.(19) If I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.--A marvellous confession, equivalent to, "If I give up my faith in Him who is my salvation, and my personal innocence, which goes hand-in-hand therewith, I shall perish. To give up my innocence is to give up Him in whom I hold my innocence, and in whom I live."

Verse 19. - Who is he that will plead with me? Will God himself plead? Or will he depute some one, man or angel? Job is impatient that the pleadings should begin. For now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost. Some translate, "For now shall I hold my peace and give up the ghost," which they explain to mean, "If God does implead me, I shall take refuge in silence, and straightway expire." But this seems an impossible conclusion, when all that Job has been aiming at and striving for since his opponents taxed him with wickedness has been that he might "speak to the Almighty, and reason with God" (ver. 3). It is far simpler to keep to the translation of the Authorized Version, and understand Job to mean that things have now reached a point at which he must either speak or expire.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Can anyone
מִי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

indict
יָרִ֣יב (yā·rîḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7378: To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend

me?
עִמָּדִ֑י (‘im·mā·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5978: Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto,

If
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

so,
עַתָּ֖ה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

I will be silent
אַחֲרִ֣ישׁ (’a·ḥă·rîš)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

and die.
וְאֶגְוָֽע׃ (wə·’eḡ·wā‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1478: To breathe out, expire


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OT Poetry: Job 13:19 Who is he who will contend (Jb)