Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 16:19
Also now, behold, my witness [is] in heaven, and my record [is] on high.
19. If his blood is to cry with an unceasing voice for reparation until it find it, there must be some one to take up the cry and see reparation made. Job is assured that already he has such a Witness and sponsor in heaven. The verse reads,
Even now, behold my witness is in heaven,
And he that voucheth for me is on high.
my record ] This is inexact; the word describes a person and means precisely the same as Witness, being the Aramean equivalent to the Heb. in the first clause. The word occurs again in the expression Jegar Sahadutha, heap of witness, Gen 31:47, as the Hebrew word does in the corresponding phrase, Gal- ‘Ed. It is difficult to find a corresponding noun in English; perhaps advocate or sponsor comes pretty near, as there was no difference between advocate and witness in the Hebrew courts, the part of a witness being to testify in behalf of one and see justice done to him, as Job 16:21 describes what part Job desires his witness to play for him. “Witness” does not mean merely one who knows Job’s innocence, but one who will testify to it and see it recognised, just as in Job 17:3 surety is one who undertakes to see right maintained.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
My witness is in heaven – That is, I can appeal to God for my sincerity. He is my witness; and he will bear record for me. This is an evidence of returning confidence in God – to which Job always returns even after the most passionate and irreverent expressions. Such is his real trust in God, that though he is betrayed at times into expressions of impatience and irreverence, yet he is sure to return to calmer views, and to show that he has true confidence in the Most High. The strength, the power, and the point of his expressions of passion and impatience are against his friends; but they sometimes terminate on God, as if even he was leagued with them against him. But he still had permanent or abiding confidence in God.
My record is on high – Margin in the high places. It means, in heaven. Luther renders this, und der mich kennet, ist in der Hohe – and he who knows me is on high. The Hebrew is sahedy – my witness; properly an eye witness. The meaning is, that he could appeal to God as a witness of his sincerity.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. My witness is in heaven] I appeal to God for my innocence.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Besides the witness of men and of my own conscience, God is witness of my integrity.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. Also nowEven now, when Iam so greatly misunderstood on earth, God in heaven issensible of my innocence.
recordHebrew,“in the high places”; Hebrew, “my witness.”Amidst all his impatience, Job still trusts in God.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Also now, behold, my witness [is] in heaven,…. That is, God, who dwells in the heavens, where his throne is, and which is the habitation of his holiness, and from whence he beholds all the sons of men, and their actions, is the all seeing and all knowing Being; and therefore Job appeals to him as his witness, if he was guilty of the things laid to his charge, to bear witness against him, but if not to be a witness for him, which he believed he would, and desired he might:
for my record [is] on high; or “my testimony”; that can testify for me; who is an “eyewitness” k, as some render it, before whom all things are naked and open; who has seen all my actions, even the very inmost recesses of my mind, all the thoughts of my heart, and all the principles of my actions, and him I desire to bear record of me; such appeals are lawful in some cases, which ought not to be common and trivial ones, but of moment and importance, and which cannot well be determined in any other way; such as was the charge of hypocrisy against Job, and suspicions of his having been guilty of some notorious crime, though it could not be pointed at and proved; see 1Sa 12:3 2Co 1:13.
k “oculatus meus testis”, Schultens.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(19) My witness is in heaven.It is very important to note passages such as these, because they help us to understand, and serve to illustrate, the famous confession in Job 19. This is surely a wonderful declaration for a man in the position of Job. What can the believer, in the full light of the Gospel revelation, say more, with the knowledge of One in heaven ever making intercession for him? And yet Jobs faith had risen to such a height as this, and had grasped such a hope as this. In no other book of the Bible is there such a picture of faith clinging to the all-just God for justification as in the Book of Job.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. Record , attestor. Schultens and Lee derive from the Arabic a meaning of eyewitness. The Septuagint renders it joint witness . The translation of Cranmer, “and He that knoweth me is above in the height,” accords with that of Luther. The witness is plainly not documentary, (record,) but a person.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
DISCOURSE: 467
JOBS CONSCIOUS INTEGRITY
Job 16:19. Now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
GREATLY was this holy man afflicted by his own friends, who came to condole with him; so that he was constrained to say, Miserable comforters are ye all [Note: ver. 2.]! Yet was he not wholly destitute of comfort; because he had the testimony of his own conscience, that, to the best of his ability, he had approved himself both to God and man: for neither had there been any injustice in his hands towards man, nor had his prayer been hypocritical before God [Note: ver. 17.]. Had he been guilty of any secret oppression, he wished the earth to disclose it, and his very prayers also to be rejected of his God [Note: ver. 18.]: but he could appeal to the heart-searching God himself for his integrity: Now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
It shall be my endeavour,
I.
To unfold this passage in reference to Job
These words may be understood as containing,
1.
An unquestionable truth
[The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. There is not an abomination in the heart, which is not seen by God, nor one that is not noticed in the book of his remembrance as a ground of his future judgment. To this the whole Scriptures bear witness: I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them [Note: Eze 11:5.]. I search the heart and try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings [Note: Jer 17:10.]. On the other hand, there is not a holy motion in the heart, but God notices it in the same manner, and for the same end. There was some good thing in the heart of young Abijah [Note: 1Ki 14:13.]; and God made that the ground of distinguishing him above all his brethren, who were wholly given to iniquity. And where God is said to write in the book of his remembrance the conferences of his people, he is represented as taking peculiar notice of the thoughts of those who listen, no less than of the words of those who speak: so observant is he of every the minutest good that can be imagined. The sigh, the groan, the very look, is understood by him, and regarded with delight; and every tear is treasured up in his vials [Note: Psa 56:8.], and shall be exhibited by him, in the last day, in attestation of our sincerity. When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee [Note: Joh 1:48.], is a specimen of the testimony he will bear to our most hidden dispositions and desires.]
2.
A consolatory reflection
[Inexpressibly painful must have been the judgment of his misguided friends. Indeed, appearances were much against him: for why should he be called to endure such complicated and unparalleled afflictions, if he did not merit them? and, if he did merit them, what a consummate hypocrite must he have been, to have gained so high a reputation for piety! Such was the interpretation which his friends put upon the troubles that had come upon him. They thought that the dispensations of Providence were a sufficient criterion whereby to estimate a mans character, particularly when they were so extraordinary and unprecedented as those which they now beheld. But Job knew that their accusations were unfounded, and their decision altogether unmerited. The testimony of his conscience, therefore, afforded him no little consolation. He knew that heaven had witnessed in him a far different conduct from that which his uncharitable friends imputed to him, and that Gods record concerning him differed widely from theirs: to God, therefore, he committed his case, not doubting but that, when his sentence should be declared, it would be the Very reverse of that which they so ignorantly passed upon him. Hence he felt as the Apostle did afterwards, under the imputations cast on him: It is a small matter to me to be judged of you, or of mans judgment; yea, I judge not mine own self: but he that judgeth me is the Lord [Note: 1Co 4:3-4.].]
3.
A solemn appeal
[There are many instances wherein the people of God have made their appeal to him, respecting things of which he only could judge. Thus Samuel [Note: 1Sa 12:5.], and David [Note: Psa 18:23-24; Psa 40:9.], and Paul [Note: Rom 1:9. 2Co 1:23. Php 1:8.], frequently called God to witness, either their innocence of evils imputed to them, or their performance of things to which he alone was privy. And it is in this sense, chiefly, that the words of my text are to be understood. In this view they have the nature of an oath, and should have put an end to all further controversy on the subject. In another place he makes a similar appeal to God, and says, Thou knowest I am not wicked, that is, wilfully and deliberately wicked [Note: Job 10:7.]. And happy was he, in having such a witness as could not err, and such a record as could never be set aside.]
Such being, as I conceive, the import of this passage, I shall now,
II.
Improve it in reference to ourselves
To every description of person is this passage capable of most profitable application. And I would, in reference to it, address,
1.
The formal
[You, because of the constancy of your observances, are ready to persuade yourselves that you are accepted of your God. But what, I would ask, is the witness which you have in heaven, and what the record that is on high concerning you? Can the testimony of the heart-searching God be in your favour? Must it not rather be to this effect? I never saw you weeping for your sins: never did I behold you fleeing to Christ with any thing approaching to the earnestness with which a manslayer fled from his pursuer to the city of refuge. Never did I hear you surrendering up yourselves wholly to the Lord, as his redeemed people. As far as outward services have gone, you have been forward enough; but to real vital religion you have been utter strangers. Consider, Brethren, I pray you, what reply ye will make to such a testimony as this. You cannot set it aside: your own consciences attest the truth of it: yet, if it be true, what hope can ye have before God? Indeed, indeed, ye do but deceive your own souls, whilst ye rest in a form of godliness, and are destitute of its power.]
2.
The hypocritical
[Well I know, that none will conceive themselves addressed under such a character as this. And I would to God that there were none to whom the character really appertains! But let me ask, Are there none who have embraced the Gospel as a system, and yet never been cast into the mould of it, so as really to be assimilated to their Lord in the spirit and temper of their minds? Can God say concerning all of you, I have witnessed the subjugation of your passions, the mortification of your lusts, and the entire change of all your tempers; so that you are no longer proud, and passionate, and vindictive, in your spirit; no longer earthly and sensual in your desires; no longer cold and formal in your duties; but you are become humble, meek, forgiving, towards men; pure, spiritual, and heavenly, in your own souls; and devout and holy before God? What say you? Can the heart-searching God bear this testimony respecting you? and is this the habit which every hour bears to heaven, to be recorded there? Tell me, Brethren, what does conscience say to this? Verily, it must be feared that the experience of many will not bear this test; but that their own consciences at this moment condemn them as guilty of gross, and flagrant, and frequent inconsistencies: and, if your own hearts condemn you, remember that God is greater than your hearts, and knoweth all things. It is to little purpose that your external conduct be approved: for God looketh at the heart; and expects that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind. He will bring all your tempers end dispositions under examination at the last day: and, if he cannot bear witness to the loveliness of them here, you may be assured that you can have no favourable testimony from him hereafter. You may forget your motions of pride and envy, of uncharitableness and discontent, of covetousness and impurity, but God records them all in the book of his remembrance, and will surely bring them forth, to the confusion and condemnation of your souls, if you do not get them washed away in the Redeemers blood, and mortified through the influences of his Holy Spirit. I pray you, remember, it is by your fruits that the tree will be estimated; and, according as they shall be found, will you either be translated to heaven, or cast into the lake of fire, to be the fuel of Gods righteous indignation through all eternity.]
3.
The calumniated
[It is possible that some of you, like Job, may lie under censures which you do not deserve, and may have things laid to your charge which you never knew. It is possible, too, that appearances may be against you; as was the case with Joseph in Potiphars palace; and with Benjamin, when Josephs cup was found upon him. Should this be your unfortunate condition, commit, with all humility, your cause to God, and leave yourselves altogether in his hands. Doubtless it is extremely painful to be calumniated and traduced: but the testimony of a good conscience is sufficient to support you, especially when confirmed by the witness of Gods Spirit in your souls. You remember how many charges were brought against our blessed Lord: yet he answered to never a word, insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Imitate ye Him in this respect. Be not too eager about the vindication of yourselves: but let your life speak, and your spirit speak: and the time shall speedily arrive, if not in this world, yet certainly in the life to come, when your character shall be cleared, and your righteousness shine forth as the noonday sun.]
4.
The sincere
[It is an unspeakable consolation to know that God is acquainted with all that passes in our hearts. If he knows our defects, he knows also our humiliation on account of them. He knows what conflicts we sustain, and what victories we gain through the mighty operation of his Spirit on our souls. And if we be Israelites indeed without guile, he will bear witness to it before the whole assembled universe, and vouchsafe to us the richest tokens of his mercy and love. Be watchful, then, against every deviation from duty, even in thought; and labour incessantly to keep a conscience void of offence, towards both God and man. Bear in mind, that the eye of God is ever upon you; and endeavour constantly to walk as in his immediate presence. Thus will you approve yourselves to him, and ensure from him in judgment that testimony of his approbation, Thou hast been faithful over a few things; be thou ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
(19) Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. (20) My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. (21) O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! (22) When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
But the greatest beauty of Job’s discourse, and what I would above every other call upon the Reader to remark with me is, the earnest longing contained in the close of his address, in which he is so passionately looking out for the Mediator. Let the Reader look over again and again what Job here saith, Oh that one might plead for a man with God! Then let him see that prayer answered, in the appointment of JESUS, as our Great High Priest and Intercessor; and then let him determine for himself, (for to his own heart under the blessed SPIRIT’S teaching, I leave the subject for decision), whether Job had not an eye to JESUS; who is not only our Advocate with the FATHER, but is such in the very way which Job desired, even as the man CHRIST JESUS pleading for his neighbor, his poor brethren, his kinsmen after the flesh, and whom he is not ashamed to call brethren. Heb 2:11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Job 16:19 Also now, behold, my witness [is] in heaven, and my record [is] on high.
Ver. 19. Also now behold my witness is in heaven ] Here is his appeal to God. So great is the confidence of a good conscience. We also may do the like, if there be no other way left for clearing our innocence; provided that we do it with a clear conscience, and in a matter of consequence; not in jest, but in judgment. Some of the martyrs appealed thus, and cited their persecutors to answer at God’s tribunal. Yea, to help the truth in necessity, a private oath between two or more may be lawfully taken, so it be done sparingly and warily; for in serious affairs and matters of great importance, if it be lawful in private to admit God as a judge, why should he not as well be called to witness? Again, the examples of holy men show the practice of private oaths as not unlawful. Jacob and Laban confirmed their covenant by a private oath, so did Jonathan and David, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
my witness: 1Sa 12:5, Rom 1:9, Rom 9:1, 2Co 1:23, 2Co 11:31, 1Th 2:10
on high: Heb. in the high places, Job 25:2, Psa 113:5
Reciprocal: Act 20:26 – I take
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Job 16:19-20. Behold, my witness is in heaven Besides the witness of men, and of my own conscience, God is witness of my integrity. The witness of men, and even that in our own bosoms for us, will stand us in little stead if we have not a witness in heaven for us also: for God is greater than our own hearts, and than the hearts of all men: neither are we to judge ourselves, nor are men to be our judges. This therefore was Jobs triumph, that he had a witness in heaven, and could appeal to Gods omniscience concerning his integrity. My friends scorn me Who ought to defend me from the scorns and injuries of others; but mine eye poureth out tears unto God I pour forth my prayers and tears to him, that he would judge me according to my innocence, and plead my righteous cause against those that accuse and condemn me.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
16:19 Also now, behold, my {t} witness [is] in heaven, and my record [is] on high.
(t) Though man condemn me, yet God is witness of my cause.