Job 13 15

Job 13:15 kjv

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job 13:15 nkjv

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

Job 13:15 niv

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

Job 13:15 esv

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

Job 13:15 nlt

God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
I am going to argue my case with him.

Job 13 verses

Job 13 15 Meaning

Job 13:15 profoundly articulates Job's unyielding faith and conviction in the face of extreme adversity. It conveys his radical trust in God, even if it leads to his demise, while simultaneously affirming his unwavering commitment to vindicate his integrity and innocence before God. This declaration is a cornerstone of his steadfast righteousness amidst unbearable suffering and the accusations of his friends.

Job 13 15 Context

Job 13:15 stands as a monumental declaration within Job's intense dialogue with his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Chapters 4-13 contain the first cycle of speeches, where Job's friends accuse him of sin as the cause of his suffering, adhering to the traditional belief that God punishes the wicked and blesses the righteous. Job consistently maintains his innocence, refusing to accept their simplistic retributive theology.

In Job chapter 13, Job reaches a point of profound frustration with his friends, whom he dismisses as "worthless physicians" and "forgers of lies" (Job 13:4). He desires silence from them (Job 13:5, 13). Job then boldly declares his intention to bring his case directly before God (Job 13:3, 16), even though he acknowledges God's power and ability to destroy him (Job 13:9, 11). Verse 15 is Job's pivotal assertion of ultimate trust combined with the demand for vindication of his righteousness. He chooses to confront God with his innocence, regardless of the potential fatal outcome, confident in God's eventual acknowledgment of his blamelessness. This reflects Job's unique blend of absolute submission and courageous protest against what he perceives as unjust treatment.

Job 13 15 Word analysis

• "Though he slay me":
  • Original Hebrew: הֵן יִקְטְלֵנִי (hēn yiqq'ṭəlēnī)
  • hēn: (Though, behold, if). Introduces a strong conditional or emphatic statement, acknowledging the extreme possibility. It signals a dramatic truth that follows.
  • yiqq'ṭəlēnī: (he will slay me, from קָטַל [qāṭal] "to kill, slay"). This signifies an action leading to death, often a violent or decisive end. Job confronts the ultimate existential threat: the very hand of God bringing about his death. It shows his awareness of God's sovereignty even unto judgment and death.
• "yet will I trust in him":
  • Original Hebrew: לוֹ אֲיַחֵל (lō ʾăyaḥēl)
  • lō: (to him, in him). The preposition 'lō' indicates direction towards or dependence on. It places God as the object of Job's profound internal state.
  • ʾăyaḥēl: (I will hope, I will wait expectantly, I will trust, from יָחַל [yāḥal] "to wait, to hope, to trust"). This word conveys a sense of patient endurance and expectant waiting. In the context of "though he slay me," it elevates to a powerful declaration of radical trust – a trust that extends beyond life itself, anticipating God's ultimate justice and vindication. It’s a trust in God's character, even when His actions seem contrary to Job's expectation.
• "but I will maintain":
  • Original Hebrew: אַךְ־אֶוָּכַח (ʾakh-ʾewwākaḥ)
  • ʾakh: (but, surely, nevertheless). This strong adversative particle introduces a contrasting or qualifying thought. It highlights the tension between his submission to divine power and his personal resolve.
  • ʾewwākaḥ: (I will argue, I will reason, I will prove, I will contend, from יָכַח [yāḵaḥ] "to argue, rebuke, prove, justify"). This signifies a formal presentation of his case, a plea for vindication, not a rebellious defiance, but a sincere attempt to justify himself before God concerning his innocence regarding the specific charges (sin causing his suffering). It is a demand for a fair hearing.
• "mine own ways":
  • Original Hebrew: דְּרָכַי (dərāḵay)
  • dərāḵay: (my ways, my paths, my conduct, my actions). This refers to Job's overall life conduct, his integrity, and his righteous actions, especially his blamelessness in the face of his friends' accusations of hidden sin.
• "before him":
  • Original Hebrew: עַל־פָּנָיו (ʿal-pānāyw)
  • ʿal-pānāyw: (before his face, in his presence). This denotes a direct, personal encounter. Job desires to stand directly before God and present his case, signifying a deep conviction in his integrity that allows him to face the Almighty without shame concerning the false accusations.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis:

• "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him": This is a powerful paradox. It embodies absolute faith that transcends even death. Job expresses unwavering reliance on God's ultimate goodness and justice, even when God's current actions seem devastating. It demonstrates trust in God's character, not merely in His blessings or a favorable outcome.
• "but I will maintain mine own ways before him": This phrase introduces a profound tension or balance. It indicates that Job's trust is not blind submission that surrenders his identity or conviction of innocence. He is not admitting guilt simply because God is afflicting him. Rather, he simultaneously expresses deep faith and asserts his right to justify his moral integrity before the divine Judge. He will defend his blameless character, challenging the notion that his suffering is a direct result of specific sin. This isn't defiance, but a desire for understanding and vindication within a framework of profound trust.

Job 13 15 Bonus section

The profound impact of Job 13:15 is amplified by a significant textual variant. The Masoretic Text (MT) has a Ketiv (what is written) that differs from the Qere (what is traditionally read). The Ketiv for "yet will I trust in him" reads לֹא אֲיַחֵל (lo ʾăyaḥēl), meaning "I have no hope" or "I will not wait/trust." If this were followed, the verse would translate as "Behold, He will slay me; I have no hope, but I will argue my ways before Him." This rendering depicts a Job on the brink of despair, who still insists on arguing his innocence despite a complete lack of hope for a positive outcome from God's hand.

However, the Qere, which is the traditional reading preserved and adopted by many ancient versions (including the Septuagint and the Vulgate) and influential Jewish interpreters, is לוֹ אֲיַחֵל (lō ʾăyaḥēl), meaning "yet will I trust in Him" or "I will wait for Him." This reading is what underlies the King James Version and many other translations, presenting Job's ultimate declaration of unwavering faith.

While the textual uncertainty exists, the Christian tradition has predominantly embraced the Qere reading, recognizing in Job 13:15 a pinnacle of faith in God even unto death, an ultimate act of surrendering yet affirming before the divine. It showcases a believer whose faith is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in a transcendent confidence in God's ultimate character and justice, despite appearances. This enduring interpretation highlights the power of resilient faith in extreme duress.

Job 13 15 Commentary

Job 13:15 stands as one of the most profound statements of faith in the entire Bible. Job, afflicted beyond measure and scorned by his friends, confronts the ultimate reality of suffering and the perceived silence of God. His declaration, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," is not born of a life of ease or simple obedience, but from the depths of excruciating pain and the radical questioning of divine justice. It reflects a faith that is pure and unconditioned by external circumstances or divine favor. It's a faith that believes in God for who He is, not for what He provides or refrains from taking away.

However, Job does not simply submit passively. The second part of the verse, "but I will maintain mine own ways before him," shows that his trust is not without an active pursuit of understanding and vindication. Job is deeply convinced of his innocence regarding the sins his friends accuse him of. He acknowledges God's sovereign power to take his life, yet simultaneously demands the right to present his case, to justify his conduct, and to understand why he is suffering if it is not due to overt transgression. This dual stance – absolute trust and resolute assertion of integrity – encapsulates the spiritual tension throughout the book of Job: grappling with the mystery of suffering and the justice of God. His intention is not rebellion but an earnest plea for an explanation from the only One who can provide it, trusting that even in confrontation, God remains his ultimate hope and justifier.