Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 19:28

"If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me;" — Job 19:28 (ASV)

Seeing the root of the matter. —This verse is variously understood, according to how “the root of the matter” is interpreted as the cause of suffering or the essence of piety. One interpretation is: “For you say, ‘How we will persecute him, and that the root of the matter is found in me.’” The Authorised Version takes the other view. It seems preferable to render it: “For you say, ‘What is a persecuted man to Him (why should He persecute any man without cause?), and therefore the root of the matter (i.e., the cause of the afflictions) is, i.e., must be found in me.’”