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Job 17 · a question people ask

"Be collateral for me with yourself" (17:3). Whom is Job asking?

In the text

The verse doesn't name anyone. In Hebrew 17:3 and 17:4 speak to one person (you is singular), and 17:4 says that you has "hidden their heart from understanding" (17:4); at 17:10 Job turns to many: "But as for you all, come back" (17:10). Job asks, "Who is there who will strike hands with me?" (17:3), and doesn't answer. Job has spoken before of an umpire and a witness: "There is no umpire between us, that might lay his hand on us both" (9:33), and "Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven" (16:19). Later he speaks of a Redeemer: "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives" (19:25). Christians read these verses in more than one way, and chapter 19's honest question sets out the main readings, each resting on its verses. These notes don't decide ahead of it who is asked in 17:3, and no New Testament verse cites 17:3.

The verses

““Now give a pledge. Be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me? For you have hidden their heart from understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.”
Job 17:3-4 · World English Bible
“But as for you all, come back. I will not find a wise man among you.”
Job 17:10 · World English Bible
“There is no umpire between us, that might lay his hand on us both.”
Job 9:33 · World English Bible
“Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.”
Job 16:19 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 17

Job 17: Where then is my hope?

Job's "Be collateral for me" (17:3) is, in Hebrew, the same word in the same form as Hezekiah's "Be my security" to the Lord (Isaiah 38:14). And stronger in "will grow stronger and stronger" (17:9), a word found only here, Strong's derives from the verb of Job's "I would strengthen you" (16:5).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions