Job 35 13

Job 35:13 kjv

Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

Job 35:13 nkjv

Surely God will not listen to empty talk, Nor will the Almighty regard it.

Job 35:13 niv

Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.

Job 35:13 esv

Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it.

Job 35:13 nlt

But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen,
to say the Almighty isn't concerned.

Job 35 verses

Job 35 13 Meaning

Job 35:13, spoken by Elihu, conveys a profound truth: God, in His perfect justice and absolute power, does not give heed to or validate communication that is "empty" (shawʾ). This emptiness refers to anything futile, vain, false, insincere, or presumptuous. Elihu posits that the Divine differentiates between sincere pleas born of true affliction or righteousness, and hollow complaints or mere utterances devoid of genuine intent or proper understanding of God's character. The verse emphasizes that God scrutinizes the heart and substance of a prayer or lament, not just its outward form.

Job 35 13 Context

Job 35:13 forms a part of Elihu’s discourse (Job 35:1-16), a younger observer stepping into the dialogue between Job and his three friends. Elihu seeks to articulate God’s justice and sovereignty more adequately than the others. He has previously challenged Job's belief that God is indifferent or unjust. In chapter 35, Elihu addresses Job directly, suggesting Job's cries for vindication may not be heard because they lack proper understanding or humility. Elihu's argument is that human actions (both good and evil) do not intrinsically affect God's infinite being, yet God does observe and judge righteously. Verse 13 specifically answers Elihu's own rhetorical question from verse 12: "There they cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men." Elihu implies that complaints, if arising from a place of pride, futility, or misjudgment of God, rather than true brokenness or repentance, fall into the category of "empty talk" that God will not acknowledge.

Job 35 13 Word analysis

• Surely/For (כִּי, kî): This particle serves to introduce a statement of fact or reason, signaling Elihu’s conviction that what follows is an undeniable principle regarding God’s nature and dealings.
• God (אֵל, ʾēl): A general, yet powerful, Hebrew term for God, emphasizing divine might and supreme authority. Its use here reinforces the idea that even the highest authority discerns and judges words, not merely receives them.
• will not hear (לֹא יִשְׁמַע, lōʾ yišmaʿ): The Hebrew verb šāmaʿ ("hear") encompasses not just auditory reception but also understanding, acknowledging, taking heed, and responding positively. Therefore, "will not hear" signifies an intentional withholding of divine attention, affirmation, and positive action, a deliberate refusal to validate the "empty talk."
• empty talk/cry (שָׁוְא, šāwʾ): This critical Hebrew term carries meanings of vanity, futility, falsehood, worthlessness, or insincerity. It can refer to:
  • Worthlessness: A communication devoid of genuine spiritual value or basis.
  • Insincerity: Words spoken without heartfelt intention or belief.
  • Falsehood: Declarations that are untrue or based on a misrepresentation.
  • Pride/Arrogance: Complaints or demands stemming from a presumption about one's own righteousness or God’s supposed fault.
  • It implicitly links to the concept of taking God's name in vain (Exo 20:7), using His holy name for worthless or deceptive ends. In Job’s context, Elihu may be applying this to Job's relentless complaints that appear to accuse God unjustly.
• nor (וְ, wə): This simple conjunction "and" links the two clauses, creating parallelism that amplifies the assertion, moving from one aspect of divine non-response to another.
• the Almighty (שַׁדַּי, Šadday): This specific divine title, El Shaddai, denotes God's absolute omnipotence, all-sufficiency, and power, often in the context of His abundant provision and judgment. Its inclusion stresses that even the All-Powerful God is not indiscriminately moved by any and every utterance; His power is perfectly integrated with His righteous character.
• regard it (לֹא יְשׁוּרֶנָּה, lōʾ yəšûrenāh): From the verb šûr, meaning to look carefully, behold, observe with attention, or favorably acknowledge. "Will not regard it" goes beyond not hearing to imply God’s refusal to even grant such words any notice or positive recognition. It’s an active dismissal. The suffix "-נָּה" (-nah) clarifies that God specifically disregards the "empty talk" itself.

Words-group analysis:

• "God will not hear empty talk": This initial clause underscores God’s moral discernment. It means that divine ears are not merely passive recipients of all sound, but active judges of intent and truth. God filters out communication that lacks sincerity, truth, or a humble spirit, reinforcing that communication with the Creator demands substance.
• "nor will the Almighty regard it": This second, parallel clause reinforces and intensifies the first. The use of "Almighty" emphasizes that even God’s boundless power does not lead to an uncritical acceptance of all words. "Regard" implies a more attentive and validating look, showing that God won't even give heed or acknowledge something He deems as futile or false. This indicates not just a passive non-hearing but an active, deliberate turning away from and dismissal of the insubstantial.

Job 35 13 Bonus section

Elihu's double reference to God as "God" (ʾēl) and "Almighty" (Šadday) in this single verse highlights God's comprehensive attributes—His transcendence, power, self-sufficiency, and sovereign oversight—all of which inform His just and discerning hearing. This multifaceted naming stresses that no aspect of the divine nature would condone or acknowledge that which is futile or false. The assertion in Job 35:13 sets a boundary on how humans can expect God to interact with them, particularly concerning prayers or grievances: God is not simply an arbiter for human demands but a righteous judge who weighs the heart and content. This principle challenges a casual approach to prayer, calling believers to genuine repentance and sincere seeking.

Job 35 13 Commentary

Job 35:13 captures Elihu's firm belief that God's holy and just nature dictates the manner of His engagement with humanity. It is a rebuttal to any notion that God is indifferent to the quality of human prayer or complaint. Elihu argues that the Sovereign God is neither manipulated by empty words nor swayed by ritual without heart. Instead, He assesses the true nature of one's cries. If a cry or complaint is borne of pride, insincerity, or a false understanding of God's character and justice (the essence of shawʾ), it will not register with God in a way that elicits a favorable divine response. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that effective communion with God is always rooted in sincerity, truthfulness, and humility, not merely in the act of speaking or crying out.