Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
The verse stands in the debate between Job and his three friends on the subject of his afflictions in chapters 4 to 31, which consists of three circles of speeches on the part of each. It belongs to Job's wrestling with overruling providence and with sin and suffering, where God is disciplining him by bringing him through the fire of affliction while his three friends charge him with sin and declare his sufferings are because of that sin. This shows how readily people misjudge their suffering fellows.
Though righteous, Job would not answer or defend himself before his judge with a claim of his own, but would appeal and plead to him for mercy. The verse expresses human dependence on God's judgment and the need to appeal to him.
The verse stands in the debate between Job and his three friends on the subject of his afflictions in chapters 4 to 31, which consists of three circles of speeches on the part of each. It belongs to Job's wrestling with overruling providence and with sin and suffering, where God is disciplining him by bringing him through the fire of affliction while his three friends charge him with sin and declare his sufferings are because of that sin. This shows how readily people misjudge their suffering fellows.
Though righteous, Job would not answer or defend himself before his judge with a claim of his own, but would appeal and plead to him for mercy. The verse expresses human dependence on God's judgment and the need to appeal to him.