Job 16:20 New International Version (NIV) My intercessor is my friend^[a] as my eyes pour out tears to God;

Footnotes a Or My friends treat me with scorn

As the word intercessor is only used once in the KJV and not at all in the ESV, NASB, or a long list of the standard versions (not including the amplified) it was interesting to find the NIV quote here is not Isaiah 59:16 as with the KVJ.

The implication is that a human friend can act as an intercessor but is that translation accurate?

Job 16:20 English Standard Version (ESV) My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God,

If scholars do not agree on the use of this word, it is small wonder that it is not often taught.

Why is it important now to speak on this issue if no one else does?

Isaiah 59:16 English Standard Version (ESV) He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

God is saying that since no one would bring mankind to Him in righteousness, He would do it Himself. It isn’t like God did not give mankind every opportunity to satisfy His sense of justice, and for all God’s efforts on man’s behalf, every effort on man’s part was at best just a temporary fix.

Hebrews 8:9 English Standard Version (ESV) not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

Hebrews 8:6 English Standard Version (ESV) But as it is, Christhas obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

God replaced “if you will I will” with “since you can’t I will”. That is intercession, ill defined.