Read Job chapter 13 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 13 is part of “First Cycle of Dialogue” (4–14) in the outline of Job.
Job 13 summary
Job here comes to make application of what he had said in the foregoing chapter; and now we have him not in so good a temper as he was in then: for, I. He is very bold with his friends, comparing himself with them, notwithstanding the mortifications he was under (Job 13:1, Job 13:2). Condemning them for their falsehood, their forwardness to judge, their partiality and deceitfulness under colour of pleading God's cause (Job 13:4-8), and threatening them with the judgments of God for their so doing (Job 13:9-12), desiring them to be silent (Job 13:5, Job 13:13, Job 13:17), and turning from them to God (Job 13:3). II. He is very bold with his God. 1. In some expressions his faith is very bold, yet that is not more bold than welcome (Job 13:15, Job 13:16, Job 13:18) But, 2. In other expressions his passion is rather too bold in expostulations with God concerning the deplorable condition he was in (Job 13:14, Job 13:19, etc.), complaining of the confusion he was in (Job 13:20-22), and the loss he was at to find out the sin that provoked God thus to afflict him, and in short of the rigour of God's proceedings against him (Job 13:23-28).
Source: 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).
1 “Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.
3 “Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
5 Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
10 He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.
11 Won’t his majesty make you afraid and his dread fall on you?
12 Your 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.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
15 Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
16 This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.
17 Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
18 See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then I would hold my peace and give up the spirit.
20 “Only don’t do two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer, or let me speak, and you answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face, and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,
28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.