Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there], and backward, but I cannot perceive him,
New American Standard Bible
And backward, but I
King James Version
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
Holman Bible
and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him.
International Standard Version
"Look! If I go east, he isn't there! If I go to the west, I don't perceive him.
American Standard Version
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there ; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
Amplified
“Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there;
I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him;
Bible in Basic English
See, I go forward, but he is not there; and back, but I do not see him;
Darby Translation
Lo, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I do not perceive him;
Julia Smith Translation
Behold, I shall go before, and he is not; and behind, I shall not understand for him.
King James 2000
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
Lexham Expanded Bible
"When I go forward, {he is not there}, or backward, I cannot see him.
Modern King James verseion
Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot see Him;
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
"For though I go before, I find him not; If I come behind, I can get no knowledge of him;
NET Bible
"If I go to the east, he is not there, and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.
New Heart English Bible
"If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;
The Emphasized Bible
Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;
Webster
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
World English Bible
"If I go east, he is not there; if west, I can't find him;
Youngs Literal Translation
Lo, forward I go -- and He is not, And backward -- and I perceive him not.
Interlinear
Qedem
References
Word Count of 20 Translations in Job 23:8
Verse Info
Context Readings
Job's Eighth Speech: A Response To Eliphaz
7 There the upright might reason with him. So I should be delivered forever from my judge. 8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not [there], and backward, but I cannot perceive him, 9 on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
Cross References
Job 9:11
Lo, he goes by me, and I do not see him. He also passes on, but I do not perceive him.
Job 35:14
How much less when thou say thou do not behold him. The case is before him, and thou wait for him!
Psalm 10:1
Why do thou stand afar off, O LORD? Why do thou hide thyself in times of trouble?
Psalm 13:1-3
How long, O LORD? Will thou forget me forever? How long will thou hide thy face from me?
Isaiah 45:15
Verily thou are a God who hides thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
1 Timothy 6:16
who alone has immortality, dwelling in irreproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see, to whom is honor and eternal dominion. Truly.