Job 13:20

Job Argues His Case with God

20 "Only you must not do [these] two [things] to me; then I will not hide from your face:

Job 13:20 Meaning and Commentary

Job 13:20

Only do not two [things] unto me
This is an address not to Zophar as in the place of God, as to me, but to God himself; by this it appears, that though in modesty he does not mention him, yet he it is he has the chief, if not the sole regard unto in ( Job 13:19 ) ; for his desire was to speak to the Almighty, and reason with God, and have nothing more to do with his friends, ( Job 13:3-5 ) ; but before any pleadings begin on either side, he is desirous of settling and fixing the terms and conditions of the dispute; he requests that two things might be granted him, which are mentioned in ( Job 13:21 ) :

then will I not hide myself from thee;
through fear or shame, but boldly appear before God, and come up even to his seat, and plead with him face to face.

Job 13:20 In-Context

18 Please look, I have prepared [my] case; I know that I myself will be vindicated.
19 Who [is] he who will contend with me? For {then} I would be silent, and I would pass away.
20 "Only you must not do [these] two [things] to me; then I will not hide from your face:
21 withdraw your hand from me, and let not your dread terrify me.
22 Then call, and I myself will answer; or let me speak, then reply to me.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Singular; the antecedent is God
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.