Job 9:16
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had listened to my voice.
American King James Version (AKJV)
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had listened to my voice.
American Standard Version (ASV)
If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
If I had sent for him to be present, and he had come, I would have no faith that he would give ear to my voice.
Webster's Revision
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice.
World English Bible
If I had called, and he had answered me, yet I wouldn't believe that he listened to my voice.
English Revised Version (ERV)
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.
Clarke's Job 9:16 Bible Commentary
If I had called, and he had answered - I could scarcely suppose, such is his majesty and such his holiness, that he could condescend to notice a being so mean, and in every respect so infinitely beneath his notice. These sentiments sufficiently confuted that slander of his friends, who said he was presumptuous, had not becoming notions of the majesty of God, and used blasphemous expressions against his sovereign authority.
Barnes's Job 9:16 Bible Commentary
If I had called, and he had answered me - It is remarked by Schultens, that the expressions in these verses are all taken from courts of justice. If so, the meaning is, that even if Job should call the Almighty to a judicial action, and he should respond to him, and consent to submit the great question about his innocence, and about the justice of the divine dealings with him, to trial, yet that such was the distance between God and him, that he could not hope successfully to contend with him in the argument. He would, therefore, prostrate himself in a suppliant manner, and implore his mercy and compassion - submitting to him as having all power, and as being a just and righteous Sovereign.
Would I not believe - I cannot believe that he would enter into my complaint. He deals with me in a manner so severe; he acts toward me so much as a sovereign, that I have no reason to suppose that he would not continue to act toward me in the same way still.
Wesley's Job 9:16 Bible Commentary
9:16 Yet - I could not believe that God had indeed granted my desire, because I am still full of the tokens of his displeasure; and therefore should conclude that it was but a pleasant dream, and not a real thing.