Job 16:21
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 Version
And 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 Bible
And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion!

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I wish that a man might be so judged before God, just as the son of man is judged with his assistant!

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 Bible
O 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 1917
That 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.

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Aright Behalf Cause Contending Decision Friend Maintain Neighbor Neighbour Plead Pleadeth Pleads Right
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Aright Behalf Cause Contending Decision Friend Maintain Neighbor Neighbour Plead Pleadeth Pleads Right
Job 16
1. Job reproves his friends for unmercifulness
17. He maintains his innocence














Oh, that a man
This phrase expresses a deep yearning and desire. In the Hebrew text, the word for "man" is "enosh," which often emphasizes the frailty and mortality of humanity. Job, in his suffering, is acutely aware of his human limitations and the vast chasm between himself and the divine. This longing reflects the universal human desire to connect with God on a personal level, despite our inherent weaknesses.

might plead
The Hebrew root for "plead" is "yakach," which can mean to argue, reason, or reprove. This term suggests a legal or judicial context, where one presents a case or argument. Job desires a fair hearing before God, akin to a courtroom setting. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of seeking justice and resolution through dialogue and debate, highlighting Job's belief in God's ultimate fairness and justice.

with God
The use of "God" here is significant. In Hebrew, the word is "Eloah," a singular form of "Elohim," emphasizing the majesty and power of God. Job's plea is not to a distant or impersonal deity but to a personal God who is capable of understanding and responding to human suffering. This underscores the intimate relationship that believers seek with their Creator, trusting in His sovereignty and compassion.

as he pleads
The repetition of the concept of pleading reinforces the earnestness of Job's request. It suggests a parallel between human interactions and divine communication. In the ancient world, pleading with a neighbor would involve direct, face-to-face communication, implying honesty, vulnerability, and the hope for empathy and understanding.

with his neighbor
The term "neighbor" in Hebrew is "rea," which can mean friend, companion, or fellow. This word choice highlights the ideal of close, personal relationships characterized by mutual respect and understanding. Job longs for a relationship with God that mirrors the best of human interactions, where one can speak openly and be heard. This reflects the biblical theme of God as a friend and advocate, as seen in other scriptures where God is portrayed as close and approachable.

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 man
לְגֶ֣בֶר (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


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OT Poetry: Job 16:21 That he would maintain the right (Jb)
Job 16:20
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