Job 13 3

Job 13:3 kjv

Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

Job 13:3 nkjv

But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

Job 13:3 niv

But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.

Job 13:3 esv

But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.

Job 13:3 nlt

As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God himself.

Job 13 verses

Job 13 3 Meaning

Job 13:3 expresses Job's fervent desire to bypass the counsel of his friends and directly present his case to God Almighty. He wishes to engage in a personal, reasoned argument with God, seeking vindication and justice rather than accepting his friends' flawed understanding of his suffering. This verse marks Job's resolution to appeal to the highest authority, believing that a direct confrontation with God will reveal the truth of his blamelessness.

Job 13 3 Context

Job 13 is part of Job’s third cycle of discourse with his friends. Job has already established his firm conviction in his innocence and is increasingly frustrated by the repetitive, unhelpful, and, in his view, deceitful counsel of his friends. In chapter 13, Job dismisses their supposed wisdom as worthless, claiming they slander God through their rigid, misguided defenses. He sees their arguments as an insult to divine truth. This verse marks a pivotal shift: Job moves from debating his friends to declaring his intention to appeal directly to the ultimate Judge, God Himself. It reveals Job's profound spiritual crisis—his trust in God remains, but he intensely desires to understand God's dealings with him and to plead his case, defying human intermediaries and their narrow theology.

Job 13 3 Word analysis

• But I: This phrase powerfully contrasts Job's position with that of his friends. He is separating himself from their line of argumentation and asserting his unique, individual resolve to seek a higher court.
• desire to speak / I will speak (אֲדַבֵּר - 'adabbēr): The Hebrew verb indicates a firm intention and commitment to communicate. It's not a mere wish but a determined act of address, a declaration of intent to enter into dialogue. It emphasizes Job's will to voice his grievance.
• to the Almighty (אֶל־שַׁדַּי - 'el-Shaddai):
  • El Shaddai: This divine name, frequently translated "God Almighty," emphasizes God's supreme power, sovereignty, and self-sufficiency. It signifies God as the All-Sufficient One who sustains His creation and keeps His promises.
  • Job’s use of "Shaddai" highlights that he is fully aware of God’s immense power and might. He chooses to confront the one being whose power cannot be gainsaid, appealing to the ultimate authority in the universe. This choice of name underscores the gravity and the audacity of his appeal.
• and to argue my case / I will argue (אוֹכִיחַ - 'ôkhiaḥ):
  • Yākaḥ: This Hebrew verb carries rich legal connotations. It means to "reprove," "rebuke," "admonish," "convict," "arbitrate," or "plead a case."
  • In Job's context, it denotes a formal, legalistic pleading where Job intends to present evidence, rebut accusations, and demonstrate his innocence. He is not merely complaining but seeking a just ruling, expecting God to hear his side and provide a vindication against the implied charges of sin brought by his friends.
• before God (אֶל־אֱלוֹהַּ - 'el-'Ĕlôah):
  • Eloah: A singular form of 'Elohim', often used poetically in Job, emphasizing the singularity and transcendence of the Divine Being.
  • This phrase reaffirms that Job's intention is directed toward the one true divine entity, further emphasizing the sacred and solemn nature of the confrontation he seeks.

Job 13 3 Bonus section

Job's aspiration to "argue his case" directly before God reveals a deep, underlying covenantal relationship and trust, rather than simple rebellion. It’s an exercise of spiritual integrity, suggesting that honest struggle with God is part of genuine faith. Job's daring in this verse is remarkable for his time, transcending common ancient Near Eastern beliefs where deities were typically unapproachable or wrathful. His bold petition serves as a unique example of humanity's longing for accountability from the divine, a plea that ultimately anticipates God's own direct address to Job in later chapters. It challenges simplistic theological frameworks and underlines that the truly righteous person may still confront God with perplexing questions, while maintaining an awe for His Almightiness.

Job 13 3 Commentary

Job 13:3 is a watershed moment in the book of Job, illustrating Job's profound spiritual integrity and unwavering belief in a just God despite his suffering. Faced with the shallow and hurtful pronouncements of his friends, Job decides to bypass human interpretation and directly appeal to God, the ultimate Judge. This demonstrates his spiritual courage and the strength of his faith; he doesn't abandon God but rather challenges Him in an intimate, confrontational manner born of deep trust and longing for truth. He believes God, in His ultimate justice and power, is capable of hearing and deciding his case. This radical plea showcases Job’s understanding that true justice could only come from the One whose power ('Shaddai') and nature ('Eloah') were perfect, even when His actions seemed inscrutable. His demand for a direct hearing prefigures the eventual divine response that clarifies God's sovereignty without fully explaining Job's specific suffering.