KJV King James Version
Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Job 23:8
Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.
WEB World English Bible
“If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can’t find him;
ASV American Standard Version
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
Lo, forward I go—and He is not, And backward—and I perceive him not.
Surrounding context — Job 23
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.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
Cross-references
Psalm 10:1Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? [why] hidest thou [thyself] in times of trouble?Job 9:11Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.Job 35:14Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, [yet] judgment [is] before him; therefore trust thou in him.1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.Isaiah 45:15Verily thou [art] a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.Psalm 13:1-3To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING
Spurgeon on Job 23:8
Read Charles H. Spurgeon material whose primary Scripture is this verse or passage.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
Compare classic commentaries on Job 23:8
Put Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, Calvin, Wesley, Barnes, Jamieson–Fausset–Brown, Aquinas’ Catena and other public-domain sources beside the passage.
Compare commentaries →