Job 13 9

Job 13:9 kjv

Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?

Job 13:9 nkjv

Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?

Job 13:9 niv

Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?

Job 13:9 esv

Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?

Job 13:9 nlt

What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?
Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?

Job 13 verses

Job 13 9 Meaning

Job 13:9 expresses Job’s strong challenge to his friends, questioning the integrity and efficacy of their arguments. He sarcastically asks whether their attempts to defend God through what he perceives as deceitful or shallow reasoning will actually be advantageous for them when God scrutinizes their own motives and words. He implies it is foolish to believe they can deceive an all-knowing God as one might deceive a mere human, asserting God's perfect perception and un-deceivable nature.

Job 13 9 Context

Job 13:9 is found within Job’s impassioned response to his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Having heard their pronouncements, which he perceives as judgmental, irrelevant, and even deceitful defenses of God’s justice, Job shifts from lamenting his suffering to directly confronting his accusers. From Job 13:1 onwards, he asserts his own understanding and discernment, dismissing his friends' counsel as "worthless physicians" and "worthless cobblers." He implies that their wisdom is not truly divine but based on human conventional wisdom and fear. Verse 13:9 serves as a sharp rhetorical question, directly challenging the integrity of their well-meaning but ultimately misguided attempts to justify God by possibly misrepresenting the truth, or by falsely assuring God’s blessing in return for their defense. Job is pointing out the profound theological error in assuming that God needs, or would even accept, their insincere or inaccurate advocacy, especially given His omniscient nature.

Job 13 9 Word analysis

• Will it be good for you (הַטוֹב יַעֲשֶׂה - haṭṭoḇ yaʿăśeh): This interrogative phrase carries a deeply ironic and foreboding tone. Literally "Is it good that he will do," or "Will it act well," it questions the ultimate outcome for the friends. Job challenges whether their self-righteous arguments will truly bring them favor or stand up to divine scrutiny, implying a negative answer. It reflects on the friends' personal welfare if their efforts are found wanting.
• if he searches you out (בְּחָקוֹא - bəḥaqqō) : This is from the Hebrew verb חָקַר (ḥāqar), meaning "to search, explore, investigate thoroughly, scrutinize, examine, probe deeply." It implies an intensive and penetrating inquiry, far beyond human capacity. Job asserts that God will not just hear their words but will uncover the intent and truth behind them, revealing any insincerity or flawed reasoning.
• Or can you deceive him (וְאִם־תְּהָתֵלוּ - wəʾim təhāṭēlû): This uses the Hebrew verb הָתֵל (hâtel), which means "to deceive, mock, make a fool of, beguile." In the Hiphil stem, it suggests "to try to deceive" or "to make someone act foolishly." Job highlights the sheer impossibility and audacious folly of attempting to trick or mislead the Almighty. This is a sarcastic query, underlining the absurdity of such an attempt.
• as one deceives a human being (כְּהָתֵל בֶּאֱנוֹשׁ - kəhāṭēl bəʾĕnōš): The term אֱנוֹשׁ (ʾĕnōš) refers to "man" or "mortal," emphasizing humanity's frailty, vulnerability, and finite nature. This stark comparison highlights the infinite gulf between fallible human perception and divine omniscience. Humans can be misled by appearances or cunning words; God sees the deepest recesses of the heart and cannot be fooled by any pretense.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "Will it be good for you if he searches you out?": This powerful rhetorical question suggests that the friends' defense of God, while seemingly pious, might prove detrimental to them when subjected to God's all-penetrating examination. Their intention to please God might backfire if their means are found to be flawed or disingenuous, inviting divine judgment upon themselves instead of commendation.
• "Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a human being?": This further emphasizes the folly of their approach by underscoring the infinite qualitative difference between God and humanity. It implies a gross misunderstanding of God's character and power. To attempt to 'pull one over' on the Creator, who intimately knows all thoughts and intents, is not only impossible but profoundly disrespectful and indicative of a superficial faith.

Job 13 9 Bonus section

The force of Job 13:9 lies in Job's clear perception of God's perfect justice and un-deceivable nature, a depth of understanding that surpasses his friends' rigid theological constructs. He recognizes that attempting to present a falsified reality to God is a far greater offense than questioning divine actions within the bounds of honesty, however painful those questions may be. This verse is not just a rebuke but an invitation to approach God with authentic truthfulness, laying bare all fears, doubts, and grievances, rather than presenting a curated or fabricated piety. It suggests that God honors genuine inquiry and struggle over convenient falsehoods.

Job 13 9 Commentary

Job 13:9 functions as a core assertion of God's unassailable omniscience and truth. Job uses piercing sarcasm to challenge his friends’ superficial theology, exposing their attempts to vindicate God with what Job considers faulty arguments or insincere intentions. He argues that God neither needs nor accepts deceptive "defenses." True righteousness and a right standing with God come not from clever arguments or attempting to appease Him through false witness, but from profound integrity and sincere truthfulness, even in lament or doubt. This verse serves as a timeless caution against spiritual pretense, highlighting that the Judge of all the earth cannot be manipulated or swayed by anything less than absolute truth and heartfelt sincerity.