Meaning, commentary and cross references
Job 13:15
“Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
NIV · New International Version
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
WEB · World English Bible
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
What does Job 13:15 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,.... There is a double reading of these words; the "Keri", or marginal reading, is "in him", which we follow; the "Cetib", or textual reading, is "not", which many follow, and render the words, "lo, he will slay me, I shall not hope"; or, "I have no hope", or "do not expect" (m) that is, any other than to be slain or die; and this agrees with various expressions of his elsewhere, that he had no hope of any long continuance of life, or of restoration to health and outward happiness again, but expected to die quickly; see Job 6:11; but I will maintain mine own ways before him; or "to his face" (n); though I die on the spot instantly, I will stand by…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Job 13:13–22
With what constancy he depends upon him: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, Job 13:15. This is a high expression of faith, and what we should all labour to come up to - to trust in God, though he slay us, that is, we must be well pleased with God as a friend even when he seems to come forth against us as an enemy, Job 23:8-10. We must believe that all shall work for good to us even when all seems to make against us, Jer 24:5. We must proceed and persevere in the way of our duty, though it cost us all that is dear to us in this world, even life itself, Heb 11:35.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Job 13:12–18 (WEB)
12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes. Your defenses are defenses of clay. 13“Be silent! Leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will. 14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand? 15Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him. 16This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him. 17Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears. 18See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
Cross references
- Psalms 23:4
- Job 19:25–28
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth.
- Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.
- Romans 8:38–39
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
- 1 John 3:20
because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
- Job 27:5
Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
- Job 23:4–7
I would set my cause in order before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
- Proverbs 14:32
The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.