Job 23:9
New International Version
When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

New Living Translation
I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.

English Standard Version
on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.

Berean Standard Bible
When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.

New American Standard Bible
When He acts on the left, I cannot see Him; He turns to the right, but I cannot see Him.

NASB 1995
When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.

NASB 1977
When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.

Amplified Bible
To the left (north) He turns, but I cannot behold Him; He turns to the right hand (south), but I cannot see Him.

Christian Standard Bible
When he is at work to the north, I cannot see him; when he turns south, I cannot find him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him.

American Standard Version
On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I looked at my left and he did not appear to me, and I turned to my right and I did not see him

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When he wrought on the left hand, then I observed it not: his right hand shall encompass me but I shall not see it.

Contemporary English Version
to my left or my right. God is always at work, though I never see him.

Douay-Rheims Bible
If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.

English Revised Version
On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I go northward, where he is at work, I can't observe him. If I turn southward, I can't see him.

Good News Translation
God has been at work in the North and the South, but still I have not seen him.

International Standard Version
If he's working in the north, I can't observe him; If he turns south, I can't see him.

JPS Tanakh 1917
On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

Literal Standard Version
[To] the left in His working—and I do not see, | He is covered [on] the right, and I do not behold.

Majority Standard Bible
When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

New American Bible
The north enfolds him, and I cannot catch sight of him; The south hides him, and I cannot see him.

NET Bible
In the north when he is at work, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I see no trace of him.

New Revised Standard Version
on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.

New Heart English Bible
He works to the north, but I can't see him. He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

World English Bible
He works to the north, but I can’t see him. He turns south, but I can’t catch a glimpse of him.

Young's Literal Translation
To the left in His working -- and I see not, He is covered on the right, and I behold not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Longs for God
8If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him. 9When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him. 10Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.…

Cross References
Job 9:11
Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; were He to move, I would not recognize Him.

Job 23:8
If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

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,


Treasury of Scripture

On the left hand, where he does work, but I cannot behold him: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

he hideth himself

Psalm 89:46
How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

Isaiah 8:17
And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

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Able Acts Catch Covered Glimpse Hand Hideth North Right Seek Sign South Turn Turneth Turning Turns Work Working Works
Job 23
1. Job longs to appear before God
6. in confidence of his mercy
8. God, who is invisible, observes our ways
11. Job's innocence
13. God's decree is immutable














Verse 9. - On the left hand, where he doth work; literally, in his workshop. There is an ellipse after "workshop" of some phrase like "I look for him." But I cannot behold him; rather, but I apprehend him not - I cannot as it were, lay my hand upon him (LXX., οὐ κάτεσχον). He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him; literally, and I do not see him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When He is at work
בַּעֲשֹׂת֣וֹ (ba·‘ă·śō·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in the north,
שְׂמֹ֣אול (śə·mō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand

I cannot
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

behold [Him];
אָ֑חַז (’ā·ḥaz)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - first person common singular
Strong's 2372: To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of

when He turns
יַעְטֹ֥ף (ya‘·ṭōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5848: To shroud, clothe, to languish

to the south,
יָ֝מִ֗ין (yā·mîn)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

I cannot
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

see [Him].
אֶרְאֶֽה׃ (’er·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see


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OT Poetry: Job 23:9 He works to the north but (Jb)
Job 23:8
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