Job 13:13

13 "So be quiet! Let me be! I'll do the talking, come on me what may!

Job 13:13 Meaning and Commentary

Job 13:13

Hold your peace, let me alone
Or, cease "from me" F9: from speaking to me, or hindering me from speaking. Job might perceive, by some motions of his friends, that they were about to interrupt him; and therefore he desires they would be silent, and let him go on:

that I may speak;
or, "and I will speak",

and let come on me what [will];
either from men, or from God himself; a good man, when he knows his cause is good, and he has truth on his side, is not careful or concerned what reproach may be cast upon him, or what censures from men he may undergo; or what persecutions from them he may endure; none of these things move him from his duty, or can stop his mouth from speaking the truth; let him be threatened with what he will, he cannot but speak the things which he has seen and heard, and knows to be true; as for what may come upon him from God, that he is not solicitous about; he knows he will lay nothing upon him but what is common to men, will support him under it, or deliver him from it in his own time and way, or however make all things work together for his good: some render it, "and let something pass by me", or "from me" F11; that is, somewhat of his grief and sorrow, while he was speaking and pouring out his complaints before God; but the former sense seems best.


FOOTNOTES:

F9 (yngm) "desistite a me", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F11 (hm yle rbeyw) "ut transeat praeter me aliquid, vel a me", Schmidt.

Job 13:13 In-Context

11 Doesn't God's majesty terrify you? Aren't you overcome with dread of him?
12 Your maxims are garbage-proverbs; your answers crumble like clay.
13 "So be quiet! Let me be! I'll do the talking, come on me what may!
14 Why am I taking my flesh in my teeth, taking my life in my hands?
15 Look, he will kill me - I don't expect more, but I will still defend my ways to his face.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.