Hiob 13:13-23

13 Schweiget mir, daß ich rede, es komme über mich, was da will.

14 Was soll ich mein Fleisch mit meinen Zähnen davontragen und meine Seele in meine Hände legen?

15 Siehe, er wird mich doch erwürgen, und ich habe nichts zu hoffen; doch will ich meine Wege vor ihm verantworten.

16 Er wird ja mein Heil sein; denn es kommt kein Heuchler vor ihn.

17 Höret meine Rede, und meine Auslegung gehe ein zu euren Ohren.

18 Siehe, ich bin zum Rechtsstreit gerüstet; ich weiß, daß ich recht behalten werde.

19 Wer ist, der mit mir rechten könnte? Denn dann wollte ich schweigen und verscheiden.

20 Zweierlei tue mir nur nicht, so will ich mich vor dir nicht verbergen:

21 laß deine Hand fern von mir sein, und dein Schrecken erschrecke mich nicht!

22 Dann rufe, ich will antworten, oder ich will reden, antworte du mir!

23 Wie viel ist meiner Missetaten und Sünden? Laß mich wissen meine Übertretung und Sünde.

Hiob 13:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 13

Job begins this chapter by observing the extensiveness of his knowledge, as appeared from his preceding discourse, by which it was evident he was not less knowing than his friends, Job 13:1,2; and therefore would have nothing to do with them as judges in his cause, but would appeal to God, and debate the matter before him, and leave it to his decision, since he could expect no good from them, Job 13:3,4; and all the favour he entreats of them is, that they would for the future be no longer speakers, but hearers, Job 13:5,6,13,17; he expostulates with them about their wicked and deceitful way of pleading for God, and against him, Job 13:7,8; and in order to strike an awe upon them, suggests to them, that they were liable to the divine scrutiny; that God was not to be mocked by them, that he would surely reprove them for their respect of persons, and desires them to consider his dreadful majesty, and what frail creatures they were, Job 13:9-12; then he expresses his confidence in God, that he should be saved by him, notwithstanding the afflictive circumstances he was in, Job 13:14-16; and doubted not he should be able so to plead his cause, as that he should be justified, if God would but withdraw his hand, and take off his dread from him, Job 13:18-22; he desires to know what his sins were, that he should hide his face from him, and treat him with so much severity, who was but a poor, weak, feeble creature, Job 13:24,25; and concludes with a complaint of the bitterness and sharpness of his afflictions, with which he was consumed, Job 13:26-28.