Job 16:21

Modern

Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!

Traditional

O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

Literal

And he reasons for a man with God, and as a son of man for his friend.

Latin

…atque utinam sic judicaretur vir cum Deo, quomodo judicatur filius hominis cum collega suo.

Hebrew

English

Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!

my witness is in heaven: Job wished for a kind third party to be "a mediator" between him and God (see 9:32–35). Job wanted a heavenly advocate who would eventually stand on the earth (16:19; compare Zechariah 3:1; Job 19:25; compare 1 Samuel 24:15; John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1).

Job thought his suffering would lead to his death (7:7, 21; 10:20–22). He asked God to show his innocence, even if he died before that happened.

Theme notes and profiles

Ecclesiastes 6:10
Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man is; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.
Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?
Romans 9:20
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
Job 40:1–5
And the LORD said to Job:
Job 23:3–7
If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.
Job 31:35
(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.
Job 13:22
Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
Job 9:34–35
Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me.
Job 13:3
Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.