Job 9:11
Job 9:11 in Multiple Translations
Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; were He to move, I would not recognize Him.
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
See, he goes past me and I see him not: he goes on before, but I have no knowledge of him.
But when he passes by me, I don't see him; when he moves on, he is invisible to me.
Lo, when he goeth by me, I see him not: and when he passeth by, I perceiue him not.
Lo, He goeth over by me, and I see not, And He passeth on, and I attend not to it.
Behold, he goes by me, and I don’t see him. He passes on also, but I don’t perceive him.
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
If he come to me, I shall not see him: if he depart I shall not understand.
He passes by where I am, but I do not see him; he moves further on, but I do not see him go.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 9:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 9:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֵ֤ן
יַעֲבֹ֣ר
עָ֭לַ/י
וְ/לֹ֣א
אֶרְאֶ֑ה
וְ֝/יַחֲלֹ֗ף
וְֽ/לֹא
אָבִ֥ין
לֽ/וֹ
הֵ֤ן
hên
H2005
look!
Part
יַעֲבֹ֣ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עָ֭לַ/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
אֶרְאֶ֑ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
וְ֝/יַחֲלֹ֗ף
châlaph
H2498
to pass
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
אָבִ֥ין
bîyn
H995
to understand
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 9:11
הֵ֤ן
hên
H2005
"look!"
Part
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
יַעֲבֹ֣ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
עָ֭לַ/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אֶרְאֶ֑ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
וְ֝/יַחֲלֹ֗ף
châlaph
H2498
"to pass"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew verb means to pass or change, like something sliding by quickly. It is used in the Bible to describe things like grass growing, time passing, or people moving on. It can also mean to overstep or transgress.
Definition: 1) to pass on or away, pass through, pass by, go through, grow up, change, to go on from 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass on quickly 1a2) to pass away (vanish) 1a3) to come on anew, sprout again (of grass) 1a4) to pass through 1a5) to overstep, transgress 1b) (Piel) to cause to pass, change 1c) (Hiph) 1c1) to change, substitute, alter, change for better, renew 1c2) to show newness (of tree) Aramaic equivalent: cha.laph (חֲלַף "to pass" H2499)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike through. See also: Genesis 31:7; Job 20:24; Psalms 90:5.
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אָבִ֥ין
bîyn
H995
"to understand"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Definition: 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). See also: Genesis 41:33; Psalms 139:2; Psalms 5:2.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Job 9:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 9:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 9:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 9:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 9:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 9:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 9:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 9:11
- Cambridge Bible on Job 9:11
- Barnes' Notes on Job 9:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 9:11
- Sermons on Job 9:11
Context — Job: How Can I Contend with God?
9He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
10He does great things beyond searching out, and wonders without number.
11Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; were He to move, I would not recognize Him.
12If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’ 13God does not restrain His anger; the helpers of Rahab cower beneath Him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 23:8–9 | If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him. When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him. |
| 2 | Job 35:14 | How much less, then, when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him, |
| 3 | Psalms 77:19 | Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found. |
| 4 | 1 Timothy 6:16 | He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. |
Job 9:11 Summary
This verse means that God is so big and powerful that we can't even begin to understand Him, and even if He was right in front of us, we might not recognize Him. It's like trying to see a huge mountain from up close - we can't take it all in. As it says in Romans 11:33, 'Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!' This reminds us to be humble and trust in God's goodness, even when we don't understand what's happening. We can't see or comprehend God, but we can trust in His love and care for us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Job mean when he says he wouldn't see or recognize God if He passed by?
Job is acknowledging the transcendence and majesty of God, emphasizing that God is beyond human comprehension, as also seen in Isaiah 55:9 which says, 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.'
Is Job expressing a sense of fear or awe in this verse?
Job's statement reflects a mix of both fear and awe, recognizing God's immense power and wisdom, similar to the Psalmist's declaration in Psalms 111:10, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's omnipresence?
While God is indeed omnipresent, as stated in Jeremiah 23:24, 'Can a man hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?' declares the Lord, 'Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?' Job's statement highlights the limitations of human perception in grasping God's presence, rather than denying His omnipresence.
What does this verse teach us about our relationship with God?
This verse reminds us of the vast difference between God's nature and ours, encouraging humility and reverence in our approach to Him, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:28-29, which advises us to 'worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have experienced God's presence in my life, even if I didn't immediately recognize Him?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God in my daily life?
- In what ways do I try to 'see' or comprehend God with my limited human understanding, and how can I surrender those efforts to simply trust in His goodness?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to acknowledge God's transcendence and majesty, and submit to His wisdom and power?
Gill's Exposition on Job 9:11
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not,.... This is expressive of the invisibility of God; for though the angels in heaven always behold his face, and men, in the works of creation, may see his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 9:11
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Lo, he goeth by me. Not only nature, but man experiences the terrors of God's resistless power. I see Him not: He passeth on.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 9:11
He goeth, i.e. he worketh by his providence in ways of mercy or judgment. By me; or, besides or before me; in my presence. I see him not; I see the effects, but I cannot understand the causes or grounds of his actions, for they are incomprehensible by me, or by any other men: for though he speaks only in his own person, yet he means it of all men; that such is the weakness of men’ s understandings, that they cannot search out God’ s counsels and ways: see . He passeth on also; he goeth from place to place, from one action to another. He speaks of God after the manner of men.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 9:11
Job 9:11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.Ver. 11. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not] As he is powerful in his deeds, so he is secret in his designs, passing, and not repassing daily, but yet unseen; he is everywhere present, and not so far from any one of us as the bark is from the tree; for in him we live, move, and have our being; and therefore we had need take heed what we say or think of him in any extremity or misery, for he overheareth us; yea, he knoweth our thoughts long before, Psalms 139:2. As a circumspect judge that goeth obscured under some disguise, to hear and see what is said and done by those that are to be judged by him. Or, as the Great Turk standing behind the arras, at the dangerous door, to hear all the debates and decrees of his senate, and to call them to a strict account of all afterwards: God, as he is invisible, too subtle for sinew or sight to seize upon; so he is ολοφθαλμος, All-eye, to survey and look all around us; yea, to see through us: "The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’ s throne is in heaven"; howbeit, he is not so confined or shut up there (as the Epicures dreamed) but that "his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men," Psalms 11:4. The one points out his knowledge, the other his judgment, or his eritical descant; he pryeth into the very entrails of the soul, the heart of the heart; the reins, those seats of lust, and most abstruse parts of the body. No man needs a window in his breast (as the heathen Momus wished) for God to look in at; every man before God is all window, and he, like the optic virtue in the eye, seeth all, and is seen of none. Look to it, therefore, and walk exactly. Cave, spectat Care, Take heed, Care seeth you, was an ancient watchword among the Romans, and a great retentive from vice; how much more should this among all men, Take heed, the Lord looks on! What though he is invisible, and we see him not; he passeth on also, and we perceive him not; shall we, like the foolish bustard, thrust our heads in a hole, and then think that, because we see none, we are therefore seen of none? The whole world is to God as a sea of glass, clear and transparent, Revelation 4:6, and his eyes are as a flaming fire, Revelation 1:14, that need no outward light, but can see by sending out a ray.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 9:11
(11) He passeth on also.—This, again, is an expression Eliphaz had used in Job 4:15. Here in words of great sublimity Job depicts the unapproachable majesty of God omnipotent, but invisible, and shows the utter hopelessness of entering into judgment with Him. Unfortunately, though this is a proposition to which all must assent, yet none is virtually so much repudiated or practically so often contravened. Men still cast about to justify themselves before God, and will do so till the end of time; but it is in teaching such as this that the Book of Job has laid the foundation of the Gospel by preparing for its acceptance by overthrowing man’s natural and habitual standing-ground in himself.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 9:11
Verse 11. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not] He is incomprehensible in all his ways, and in all his works; and he must be so it he be GOD, and work as GOD; for his own nature and his operations are past finding out.
Cambridge Bible on Job 9:11
11–24. From the operation of this terrible force in the physical world Job passes on to describe its display among creatures, and to shew how it paralyses and crushes them.
Barnes' Notes on Job 9:11
Lo, he goeth by me - That is, he passes along - as in the silent movements of the heavenly bodies. “I see the evidence of his existence.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 9:11
Strophe d — After the extended description of the divine Omnipotence, the short, hasty glance which in this strophe is cast on miserable, mortal man makes an impression so much the more pointed. Job 9:11-12. (Schlottmann.)11.
Sermons on Job 9:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Evening Thoughts - January by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's faithfulness as we enter a new year, encouraging believers to trust in His unwavering support through life's uncerta |
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Lo, He Goes by Me, and I See Him Not by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow reflects on the mysterious ways of the Lord, emphasizing that believers often feel bewildered by their circumstances, yet they are not alone in their struggles. He |
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The Strategy of God (Job 23:8-14) by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that God's strategy in the life of Job reveals His initiative in the face of suffering, demonstrating that God knows us better than we know ourselves. H |
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Fearing the Lord and Walking in Darkness by Charles Finney | Charles Finney emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord and trusting Him even when one walks in darkness. He explains that this darkness is not a result of disobedience or gui |
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Wholly Dependent on Him by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of total reliance on God, illustrating this through the experiences of Israel in the wilderness and Job's profound trials. He explains that |
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Faith That Works by Manley Beasley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being properly related to Jesus through faith. He explains that surrendering all and doing what we can afford to do is not |
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Walking With the Wind by Manley Beasley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of actively seeking and accepting God's plan for our lives. He uses the story of Gideon and the 300 men to illustrate how God |