Job 13:1-9

1 Lo! mine eye, saith Job, hath seen all things, and mine ear hath heard (it all); and I understood all things.

2 Even with your knowing, (that) also I know, and I am not lower than ye. (What you know, I also know, and I am not lower than ye.)

3 But nevertheless I shall speak to Almighty God, and I covet to dispute with God (and I desire to dispute with God);

4 and first I (shall) show you (to be) makers of lies, and lovers/favourers of wayward teachings. (but first I shall show you to be liars, and lovers of wayward teaching.)

5 And I would, that ye were still, that ye were guessed to be wise men. (And I wish, that ye held your peace, so that ye could be thought to be wise.)

6 Therefore hear ye my chastisings; and perceive ye the doom of my lips. (And so hear ye my arguments; and understand ye the judgement from my lips.)

7 Whether God hath need to your leasing, that ye speak guileful things for him? (Hath God a need for your lies, so that ye speak these guileful things for him?)

8 Whether ye take his face, and enforce to deem for God? (Do ye take his place, and endeavour to judge for God?)

9 Either it shall please him, from whom nothing may be hid? Whether he, as a man, shall be deceived by your falsenesses? (Shall he, like a man, be deceived by your falseness, or your duplicity?)

Job 13:1-9 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.