Job 13 20

Job 13:20 kjv

Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.

Job 13:20 nkjv

"Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide myself from You:

Job 13:20 niv

"Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:

Job 13:20 esv

Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:

Job 13:20 nlt

"O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.

Job 13 verses

Job 13 20 Meaning

Job 13:20 expresses Job's fervent plea to God, outlining two specific conditions under which he would fearlessly stand before Him and present his case. Job's statement indicates his readiness to engage directly with God if the overwhelming sense of divine oppression and terror were to be momentarily suspended, allowing him to argue for his vindication without shrinking in fear or pain. It signifies his conviction that, given a fair platform, he is innocent of the accusations implied by his suffering.

Job 13 20 Context

Job 13:20 occurs amidst Job's impassioned arguments with his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. In this chapter, Job increasingly dismisses his friends' shallow theology and their self-righteous defense of God as deceitful and based on false premises. He directly addresses them, asserting his desire to bring his case before God directly, rather than debate with them (Job 13:3). Despite his intense suffering, Job expresses profound trust in God's ultimate vindication, even if it meant death (Job 13:15-16). Verses 20-22 serve as Job's personal appeal and pre-conditions for this desired audience with God. He transitions from disputing with his friends to laying out his desperate longing for an unhindered direct encounter with his Maker. Historically, the setting reflects ancient Near Eastern legal conventions where an afflicted party might seek a direct hearing from the highest authority, even presuming to ask for specific procedural accommodations to ensure a fair trial, given the immense power disparity between God and man.

Job 13 20 Word analysis

• Only (`אַךְ` - ʾak): This strong restrictive adverb introduces a solemn, almost urgent condition. It means "surely," "but," "however," emphasizing that Job's subsequent declaration hinges entirely on these specific requests. It highlights the criticality of what follows for Job.
• do not (`אַל־תַּעֲשֵׂה` - ʾal-taʿaseh): A prohibitive imperative, "do not do." The Hebrew al before a jussive verb makes it a strong negative command or plea. This is not a suggestion, but a fervent request that these actions not be carried out by God.
• two things (`שְׁתַּיִם` - shtayim): Literally "two," feminine plural. It refers specifically to the two conditions Job states in the following verses (Job 13:21-22): removal of God's overwhelming hand of affliction and withdrawal of His terror, thus allowing for clear communication and debate.
• unto me (`לִי` - lî): "To me" or "for me." It directly indicates Job as the subject of God's action (or inaction).
• Then (`אָז` - ʾāz): A temporal adverb meaning "then" or "at that time." It introduces the immediate consequence or reciprocal action that will occur if the preceding conditions are met. It sets up a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
• will I not (`לֹא` - lōʾ`): The standard negative particle, definitively stating Job's intended action or lack thereof.
• hide myself (`אֶסָּתֵר` - ʾessātêr): From the verb `סָתַר` (sātar), meaning "to hide," "to conceal." This specific form is the first person common singular, imperfect, Nifal (passive/reflexive), signifying "I will hide myself" or "I will be hidden." Job vows not to retreat or cower if his conditions are met.
• from Thee (`מִפָּנֶיךָ` - mippānêykā): "From your face," "from your presence." `מִן` (min) is the preposition "from," and `פָּנִים` (pānîm*) means "face" or "presence." It denotes an intentional avoiding of God's direct sight or intimate presence, usually out of fear, guilt, or shame. Job promises no longer to do this.

• "Only do not two things unto me:": This phrase highlights Job's remarkable audacity born of extreme desperation and firm belief in his righteousness. He presumes to set conditions for an audience with the Almighty, not out of disrespect, but from an earnest desire for a just and unimpeded hearing. It points to a deep, underlying trust in God's fairness despite current suffering.
• "Then will I not hide myself from Thee.": This is Job's courageous declaration. Unlike Adam, who hid due to guilt, Job asserts that his potential "hiding" is not from a sense of wrongdoing, but from the unbearable pressure and terror of God's active afflicting presence. If those specific conditions are removed, Job vows to stand openly and make his defense without fear or retreat. It speaks to his deep conviction of his own innocence regarding his profound suffering.

Job 13 20 Bonus section

• Job's "terms" for engaging with God might appear presumptuous, yet they underscore a desperate human cry for equitable justice in the face of incomprehensible suffering from a supposedly just God. It represents a wrestling with faith rather than an abandonment of it.
• This verse prefigures humanity's need for a mediator and a different way to approach a Holy God, concepts more fully revealed in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. Job desires the removal of the very things (divine wrath/terror) that Christ's atonement definitively addressed, allowing believers to "draw near with confidence" (Heb 4:16). Job's conditions for approaching God highlight the inherent difficulties of the old covenant and fallen human state.
• The raw honesty of Job's address to God is a powerful biblical example for those suffering greatly. It models a faith that doesn't just passively accept but actively, even painfully, engages with the mysteries of divine providence and justice.

Job 13 20 Commentary

Job 13:20 serves as a pivotal point in Job's spiritual journey and his argument with his friends. Having refuted his companions' unhelpful counsel, Job now turns directly to God, demonstrating a profound paradox of despair and persistent faith. His request for "two things" (explained in the following verses) is born from a desire for an unencumbered opportunity to argue his case. Job feels that the sheer weight of God's oppressive hand and terrifying presence prevents him from clearly articulating his defense. His plea is not for God to cease being God, but to temporarily ease His wrathful display of power so that a dialogue rooted in justice, not raw force, can occur. Job’s statement, "Then will I not hide myself from Thee," is a testament to his conviction of innocence and his unique, bold relationship with the divine. It implies that his current 'hiding' (or inability to engage directly) is a consequence of God's intense affliction, not personal guilt. Job yearns for vindication and believes he can receive it only through a direct, fair hearing with God Himself, devoid of the overwhelming factors currently crushing him. This audacious yet deeply pious stance underlines a central theme in Job: how a righteous person interacts with a seemingly inexplicable, afflicting God, pushing the boundaries of human-divine engagement while retaining trust.