Job13
New International Version
1“My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
4You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
6Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.
7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
10He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.
11Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13“Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
17Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
19Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20“Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
21Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
24Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
25Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
26For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth.
27You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet.
28“So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 13.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Job reproves his friends. (1–12). He professes his confidence in God. (13–22). Job entreats to know his sins. (23–28).
vv1-12
With self-preference, Job declared that he needed not to be taught by them. Those who dispute are tempted to magnify themselves, and lower their brethren, more than is fit. When dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should apply to the Physician of our souls, who never rejects any, never prescribes amiss, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all creatures, without Christ, are physicians of no value. Job evidently speaks with a very angry spirit against his friends. They had advanced some truths which nearly concerned Job, but the heart unhumbled before God, never meekly receives the reproofs of men.
vv13-22
Job resolved to cleave to the testimony his own conscience gave of his uprightness. He depended upon God for justification and salvation, the two great things we hope for through Christ. Temporal salvation he little expected, but of his eternal salvation he was very confident; that God would not only be his Saviour to make him happy, but his salvation, in the sight and enjoyment of whom he should be happy. He knew himself not to be a hypocrite, and concluded that he should not be rejected. We should be well pleased with God as a Friend, even when he seems against us as an enemy. We must believe that all shall work for good to us, even when all seems to make against us. We must cleave to God, yea, though we cannot for the present find comfort in him. In a dying hour, we must derive from him living comforts; and this is to trust in him, though he slay us.
vv23-28
Job begs to have his sins discovered to him. A true penitent is willing to know the worst of himself; and we should all desire to know what our transgressions are, that we may confess them, and guard against them for the future. Job complains sorrowfully of God's severe dealings with him. Time does not wear out the guilt of sin. When God writes bitter things against us, his design is to make us bring forgotten sins to mind, and so to bring us to repent of them, as to break us off from them. Let young persons beware of indulging in sin. Even in this world they may so possess the sins of their youth, as to have months of sorrow for moments of pleasure. Their wisdom is to remember their Creator in their early days, that they may have assured hope, and sweet peace of conscience, as the solace of their declining years. Job also complains that his present mistakes are strictly noticed. So far from this, God deals not with us according to our deserts. This was the language of Job's melancholy views. If God marks our steps, and narrowly examines our paths, in judgment, both body and soul feel his righteous vengeance. This will be the awful case of unbelievers, yet there is salvation devised, provided, and made known in Christ.
Key Words
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רָאָה: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֹזֶן: broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בִּין: to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
דַּעַת: knowledge
יָדַע: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
נָפַל: to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
אוּלָם: however or on the contrary
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Job 13Uses the identical proverbial idiom of putting one's soul/life in one's hand in times of extreme danger.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Directly parallels the proverb that even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Both verses explicitly petition or lament God bringing to mind the sins and iniquities of youth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Job repeats his exact assertion that he has understanding and is not inferior to his friends.
Supported by JFB
Job again describes his friends using similar terminology as miserable comforters and physicians of no value.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Shares the warning that God cannot be mocked by human pretenses or deceptive arguments.
Supported by JFB
Parallel request for God to withdraw His rod/hand so that His dread does not terrify him.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Job's intense longing to find God, present his case, and reason directly with Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects Job's warning against secretly accepting persons with the condemnation of unjust, partial judgment.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the literal execution of putting a prisoner's feet fast in the stocks.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Elihu later quotes or echoes Job's specific complaint that God puts his feet in the stocks.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the image of man consuming away under God's rebuke like a moth-eaten garment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the imagery of feeding on or relying upon worthless ashes as a vanity.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Job's assertion that a hypocrite/godless person will not come before God or have hope.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts God's terrifying shaking of Job (a driven leaf) with the Messiah's promise not to break bruised reeds.
Supported by JFB