Job 13:14

14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?

Job 13:14 in Other Translations

14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?

14 Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life in my own hands?

14 Why do I go out on a limb like this and take my life in my hands?

14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

14 I am biting off more than I can chew and taking my life in my own hands.

14 Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?

14 Why do I put myself in danger? Why do I take my life in my hands?

Job 13:14 Meaning and Commentary

Job 13:14

Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth
Or bite my lips, to keep in my words, and refrain from speaking? I will not do it:

and put my life in my hand?
or, expose it to danger by a forced silence; when I am ready to burst, and must if I do not speak; I will not thus endanger my life; it is unreasonable I should, I will speak my mind freely and fully, that I may be refreshed; so Sephorno interprets it of Job's putting his hand to his mouth, that he might be silent; and of putting a forcible restraint upon himself, that he might not declare what was upon his mind; see ( Job 13:19 ) ; but others, as Bar Tzemach, take the sense to be, what is the sin I have committed, that such sore afflictions are laid upon me; that through the pain and distress I am in, I am ready to tear off my flesh with my teeth, and my life is in the utmost danger? and some think he was under a temptation to tear his own flesh, and destroy himself; and therefore argues why he should be thus hardly dealt with, as to be exposed to such a temptation, and thrown in such despair, which yet he laboured against; but rather the meaning is, in connection with the preceding verse, let whatsoever will come upon me, "at all events, I will take my flesh in my teeth, and I will put my life in my hand" ^F12; I will expose myself to the greatest dangers which is the sense of the last phrase in ( Judges 12:3 ) ( 1 Samuel 19:5 ) ( 28:21 ) ( Psalms 119:109 ) ; come life, come death, I will not fear; I am determined to speak out my mind let what will be the consequence; and with this bold and heroic spirit agrees what follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 "Super quocunque eventu", Schultens.

Job 13:14 In-Context

12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 “Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.

14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?

15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!

Cross References

• 1. S Judges 9:17