King James Version
Job 9:3 in the King James Version says “If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.” — study this verse from Job chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.”
Job 9:3 · KJV
Then Job answered and said,
I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? with God: or, before God?
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
KJV Study — Public Domain
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
“If he will”
H2654properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
“contend”
H7378properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“with him he cannot answer”
H6030properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
“of a thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Job 9:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Job 9:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge