Job 9:3

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

אִם־יַ֭חְפֹּץ לָרִ֣יב עִמּ֑וֹ לֹֽא־יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ אַחַ֥ת מִנִּי־אָֽלֶף׃

Transliteration

ʾim-yaḥpōṣ lārîb ʿimmô lōʾ-yaʿănennû ʾaḥat minnî-ʾālep

Grammar Details

• *ʾim-yaḥpōṣ*: conditional particle + qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - if he desires
• *lārîb*: preposition + qal infinitive construct - to contend/dispute
• *ʿimmô*: preposition + 3rd masculine singular suffix - with him
• *lōʾ-yaʿănennû*: negative particle + qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix - he cannot answer him
• *ʾaḥat*: feminine singular numeral - one
• *minnî-ʾālep*: preposition + masculine singular noun - from/of a thousand

Word Meanings

• *yaḥpōṣ*: to desire, take pleasure in, wish
• *rîb*: to contend, dispute, plead
• *yaʿănennû*: to answer, respond, reply

Referenced Verses

• Job 10:2 : 2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; Show me wherefore thou contendest with me.
• Job 40:2 : 2 Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.
• Ps 19:12 : 12 Who can discern [his] errors? Clear thou me from hidden [faults].
• Ps 40:12 : 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about; Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; And my heart hath failed me.
• Isa 57:15-16 : 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls that I have made.
• Rom 9:20 : 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?
• 1 John 1:8 : 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
• 1 John 3:20 : 20 because if our heart {G3754} condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
• Job 23:3-7 : 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! 4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me. 6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me. 7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
• Job 31:35-37 : 35 Oh that I had one to hear me! (Lo, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); And [that I had] the indictment which mine adversary hath written! 36 Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder; I would bind it unto me as a crown: 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.
• Job 33:13 : 13 Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?
• Job 34:14-15 : 14 If he set his heart upon himself, [If] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.
• Job 9:20 : 20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse.
• Job 9:32-33 : 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment. 33 There is no umpire betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both.