Job 9:3

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

If he will 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; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
• Job 40:2 : 2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
• Ps 19:12 : 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
• Ps 40:12 : 12 For innumerable evils have compassed{H8804)} me about: mine iniquities have taken hold{H8689)} upon me, so that I am not able{H8804)} to look up{H8800)}; they are more{H8804)} than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth{H8804)} 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 ones. 16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which 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 hast thou made 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 For if our heart 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 order my cause 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 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. 7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
• Job 31:35-37 : 35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 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 he giveth not account of any of his matters.
• Job 34:14-15 : 14 If he set his heart upon man, 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 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
• Job 9:32-33 : 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.