Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 23:5
I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
5. Job would not only plead his own cause, but he would hear from the Almighty what charges He had to make against him; comp. ch. Job 10:2, Job 13:23. and especially ch. Job 31:35-37.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I would know the words which he would answer me – That is, I wish to understand what would be his decision in the case – and what would be his judgment in regard to me. That was of infinitely more importance than any opinion which man could form, and Job was anxious to have the matter decided by a tribunal which could not err. Why should we not desire to know exactly what God thinks of us, and what estimate he has formed of our character? There is no information so valuable to us as that would be; for on his estimate hangs our eternal doom, and yet there is nothing which people more instinctively dread than to know what God thinks of their character. It would be well for each one to ask himself, Why is it so?
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. I would know the words which he would answer me] He would speak nothing but what was true, decree nothing that was not righteous, nor utter any thing that I could not comprehend.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I long to know what he would say, either to prove me a hypocrite, or to justify his harsh proceedings against me; and if be should discover to me any secret and unknown sins, for which he contendeth with me, I should humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine iniquity.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. heemphatic: it littlematters what man may say of me, if only I know what Godjudges of me.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I would know the words [which] he would answer me,…. Being a God hearing and answering prayer, who always hears, and sooner or later answers the petitions of his people in his own way; and which when he does, they know, take notice, and observe it: or then he should know the reason why the Lord contended with him, and what were his sins and transgressions, which were the cause of his afflictions; things he had desired to know, but as yet had no answer, see Job 10:2;
and understand what he would say unto me; what judgment he would pass upon him, what sentence he would pronounce on him, whether guilty or not, and by which judgment he was content to stand or fall; as for men’s judgment, the judgment of his friends, or to be judged by them, he required it not, as he did not understand upon what ground they went, or that it was a good one; but the judgment of God he should pay a deference to, as being always according to truth, and the reason of which, when he should have a hearing before him, and a decisive sentence by him, he should clearly perceive; see 1Co 4:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Job 23:5 I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
Ver. 5. I would know the words that he would answer me ] q.d. I cannot know your minds, O my friends, nor understand your words, which yet I believe are little to the purpose; but God (I know) will utter his mind plainly, and approve my cause, which you so rashly condemn. Thus John Huss and other martyrs, when they could not have a fair hearing from men, appealed and applied themselves to God, committing their cause to him who judgeth righteously.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
know: Job 10:2, Job 13:22, Job 13:23, Job 42:2-6, 1Co 4:3, 1Co 4:4
Reciprocal: Job 33:5 – set Job 38:2 – General Hab 2:1 – when I am reproved