Job 9:23

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

If the whip slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

American King James Version (AKJV)

If the whip slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

American Standard Version (ASV)

If the scourge slay suddenly, He will mock at the trial of the innocent.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

If death comes suddenly through disease, he makes sport of the fate of those who have done no wrong.

Webster's Revision

If the scourge shall slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

World English Bible

If the scourge kills suddenly, he will mock at the trial of the innocent.

English Revised Version (ERV)

If the scourge slay suddenly, he will mock at the trial of the innocent.

Definitions for Job 9:23

Scourge - Whip.
Scourge - To whip; flog.

Barnes's Job 9:23 Bible Commentary

If the scourge slay suddenly - If calamity comes in a sudden and unexpected manner. Dr. Good, following Reiske, translates this," if he suddenly slay the oppressor," understanding the word scourge שׁוט shôṭ as meaning an oppressor, or one whom God employs as a scourge of nations. But this is contrary to all the ancient versions. The word שׁוט shôṭ means properly a whip, a scourge (compare the notes at Job 5:21), and then calamity or affliction sent by God upon men. Such is clearly the case here.

He will laugh at the trial of the innocent - That is, he seems to disregard or to be pleased with their trials. He does not interpose to rescue them. He seems to look calmly on, and suffers them to be overwhelmed with others. This is a poetic expression, and cannot mean that God derides the trials of the innocent, or mocks their sufferings. It means that he seems to be inattentive to them; he suffers the righteous and the wicked to be swept away together as if he were regardless of character.

Wesley's Job 9:23 Bible Commentary

9:23 Suddenly - If some common judgment come upon a people.Laugh - God will be well pleased, to see how the same scourge, which is the perdition of the wicked, is the trial of the innocent, and of their faith, which will be found unto praise and honour and glory.