Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend. New Living Translation I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends. English Standard Version that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor. Berean Standard Bible Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor! King James Bible O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! New King James Version Oh, that one might plead for a man with God, As a man pleads for his neighbor! New American Standard Bible That one might plead for a man with God As a son of man with his neighbor! NASB 1995 “O that a man might plead with God As a man with his neighbor! NASB 1977 “O that a man might plead with God As a man with his neighbor! Legacy Standard Bible O that a man might argue with God As a man with his neighbor! Amplified Bible “Oh, that a man would mediate and plead with God [for me] Just as a man [mediates and pleads] with his neighbor and friend. Christian Standard Bible I wish that someone might argue for a man with God just as anyone would for a friend. Holman Christian Standard Bible I wish that someone might arbitrate between a man and God just as a man pleads for his friend. American Standard Version That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor! Contemporary English Version to show that I am right, just as a friend should. English Revised Version That he would maintain the right of a man with God, and of a son of man with his neighbour! GOD'S WORD® Translation But my witness will plead for a human in front of God. The Son of Man will plead for his friend! Good News Translation I want someone to plead with God for me, as one pleads for a friend. International Standard Version crying for him to arbitrate between this man and God; as a human being does with his fellow neighbor. Majority Standard Bible Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor! NET Bible and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend. New Heart English Bible that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor. Webster's Bible Translation O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor! World English Bible that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He reasons for a man with God, "" As a son of man for his friend. Young's Literal Translation And he reasoneth for a man with God, And a son of man for his friend. Smith's Literal Translation Shall he judge for a man with God? and the son of man for his neighbor? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion! Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible That justice may be done for a mortal with God: as for a man with his neighbor. New Revised Standard Version that he would maintain the right of a mortal with God, as one does for a neighbor. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleO that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated But, oh, that a son of man might blame God, as a man his neighbor! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917That He would set aright a man contending with God, As a son of man setteth aright his neighbour! Brenton Septuagint Translation Oh that a man might plead before the Lord, even as the son of man with his neighbor! Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Decries his Comforters…20My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God. 21Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor! 22For when only a few years are past I will go the way of no return.… Cross References Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Romans 8:34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us. 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. / And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. 1 John 4:10 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— John 17:9 I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. Psalm 103:9 He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. Isaiah 59:16 He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him. Jeremiah 30:21 Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD. Zechariah 3:1-5 Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?” / Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. ... Psalm 106:23 So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them. Treasury of Scripture O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor! plead Job 9:34,35 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: … Job 13:3,22 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God… Job 23:3-7 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! … neighbour. Jump to Previous Aright Behalf Cause Contending Decision Friend Maintain Neighbor Neighbour Plead Pleadeth Pleads RightJump to Next Aright Behalf Cause Contending Decision Friend Maintain Neighbor Neighbour Plead Pleadeth Pleads RightJob 16 1. Job reproves his friends for unmercifulness17. He maintains his innocence Oh, that a man might plead with God This phrase reflects Job's deep desire for a mediator between himself and God. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is in the midst of intense suffering and is seeking an advocate who can present his case before God. This longing for a mediator foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). The cultural context of the time often involved legal disputes being settled by a mediator, which Job is yearning for in his spiritual struggle. as he pleads with his neighbor! Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and seeking understanding from God. 2. God The Almighty Creator, whom Job desires to plead his case before, seeking justice and understanding amidst his suffering. 3. Job's Friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, believing his suffering is a result of sin. 4. Heavenly Courtroom The metaphorical setting where Job wishes to present his case before God, akin to a legal proceeding. 5. Mediator The concept of an intermediary who can plead on behalf of another, which Job longs for in his relationship with God. Teaching Points The Need for a MediatorJob's desire for someone to plead his case before God highlights the human need for a mediator. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills this role, bridging the gap between humanity and God. Understanding Suffering Job's plea reflects the struggle to understand suffering. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when His ways are beyond our understanding. Intercessory Prayer Just as Job wished for someone to intercede for him, Christians are called to intercede for others in prayer, bringing their needs before God. The Role of Friends in Suffering Job's friends failed to provide true comfort. This teaches us the importance of offering compassionate support rather than judgment to those who are suffering. Faith in God's Justice Job's confidence in pleading his case before God demonstrates faith in divine justice. Believers are encouraged to trust that God will ultimately bring justice and vindication.Verse 21. - Oh that one might plead for a man with God! The original here is obscure. It may mean, Oh that he (i.e. God himself) would plead for a man with God! i.e. would become a Mediator between himself and man, plead for him, undertake his defence, and obtain for him merciful consideration. Or, nearly as in the Authorized Version, Oh that one might plead for man (i.e. mankind at large) with God! interest him on their behalf, and obtain a merciful judgment for them. The former rendering is to be preferred. As a man pleadeth for his neighbour; literally, as a son of man (or, as the Son of man) pleadeth for his neighbour. If we take the simpler rendering, "as a son of man," then the meaning is simply, "Oh that God would plead for man with himself, as a man is wont to plead for his fellow-man!" But if we prefer the other rendering, "as the Son of man," a Messianic interpretation will be necessary. (So Professor Lee and Dr. Stanley Leathes) But Messianic interpretations of passages that do not require them, and that have no such traditional interpretation, require extreme caution. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Oh, that a manלְגֶ֣בֶר (lə·ḡe·ḇer) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply might plead וְיוֹכַ֣ח (wə·yō·w·ḵaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with God אֱל֑וֹהַּ (’ĕ·lō·w·ah) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 433: God -- a deity, the Deity as [he] [pleads] וּֽבֶן־ (ū·ḇen-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son with his neighbor! לְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃ (lə·rê·‘ê·hū) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow Links Job 16:21 NIVJob 16:21 NLT Job 16:21 ESV Job 16:21 NASB Job 16:21 KJV Job 16:21 BibleApps.com Job 16:21 Biblia Paralela Job 16:21 Chinese Bible Job 16:21 French Bible Job 16:21 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 16:21 That he would maintain the right (Jb) |
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