I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.
Parallel translations
- WEB I call to my servant, and he gives me no answer. I beg him with my mouth.
- BSB I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth.
- NKJV I call my servant, but he gives no answer; I beg him with my mouth.
- NASB “I call to my servant, but he does not answer; I have to implore his favor with my mouth.
- NLT When I call my servant, he doesn’t come; I have to plead with him!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Job's own servant ignores his summons even when he begs. The one who should obey now shows him contempt.
Overview
Job must plead with his servant, who refuses to answer, reversing the natural order of master and servant. This small but cutting detail shows how thoroughly his dignity has collapsed. It illustrates the humbling that suffering brings, drawing the sufferer to find worth not in status but in God's regard for the lowly.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Job 1:15–17And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
- Job 1:19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 19:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.