13:2 I am not more inferior than you Job again proclaims that his wisdom is equal to the wisdom of his friends (12:3).

13:3 to argue with God Job again speaks of his desire to present his arguments before God. Instead of repenting and coming to God for mercy as his friends suggested (11:13–14), Job wishes to come before God to dispute the injustice done to him.

13:4 whitewash with lies Job accuses his friends of speaking falsely. God confirms their error in 42:7.

are worthless healers Job’s friends may have thought they were helping him, but rather than being a comfort, they failed to understand the proper response to his suffering.

13:5 it would become wisdom for you Job argues his friends would be wiser if they had not spoken at all—a principle echoed in Proverbs (Prov 17:28).

13:7 you speak falsely for God By claiming that Job’s suffering was due to God’s punishment, they attributed false reasons to God’s actions.

13:8 you show partiality for him Job seeks a fair hearing where he can argue his case before God (see note on Job 9:3). He earlier wished for the help of an arbiter (9:33 and note) and seeks impartiality.

13:10 Surely he will rebuke you Job believes God will rebuke his friends for their false comfort. Eventually, God does rebuke them (42:7).

13:11 not his majesty terrify you Job later expresses his fear at facing God’s majesty (31:23).

13:12 maxims are proverbs of ashes Wisdom teachers in the ancient Near East often used proverbs and maxims to instruct because they are easy to remember and offer insight for many situations. These proverbs did not apply to Job’s experience, and offering them was futile.

13:13 let come over me whatever may Job earlier declared that he would speak freely (10:1). Here, he echoes that statement and goes further—saying he will risk any consequence from demanding a hearing with God. See note on 10:1.

13:14 should I take my flesh in my teeth In Hebrew, this phrase is an idiom of uncertain meaning. It likely has a meaning similar to the expression that follows (“put my life in my hand”)—that is, choosing to risk your own life.

13:15 Look, though he kill me, I will hope Job recognizes the risk of demanding to present his case before God; God could respond by killing him. He hopes, however, that God will vindicate him.

13:16 this is salvation to me Job believes he will find deliverance from his suffering if he presents his case before God. While his friends advise him to find restoration by repenting, Job believes he will find restoration by defending his innocence (compare 11:13–20).

13:17 Listen carefully to my words Before he addresses God, Job wants to make sure his friends listen carefully to his arguments. Job hopes this will prevent them from misunderstanding him, and perhaps encourage them to support his case before God (v. 8).

13:19 who will contend with me Job is confident in his defense. The Hebrew term here typically refers to a legal dispute. See note on 9:3.

13:20 two things Although Job makes several requests in the following verses, his dispute with God involves two main complaints: He wants God to remove his suffering (v. 21), and he wants God to explain the reason for his suffering (vv. 22–23).

then I will not hide from your face Job has not hidden himself from God; he has spoken directly and freely to Him (10:1), looking for God to answer him. Instead, God has hidden Himself from Job (v. 24).

13:21 your hand God’s hand can be a source of protection and blessing (Ezra 8:31; Psa 119:173; Isa 62:2) or a source of affliction and punishment (Deut 32:29; 1 Sam 5:6; Psa 32:4).

13:22 or let me speak Job gives God a choice: God can speak first and Job will respond, or Job will continue and let God respond. Either way, Job wants an answer from God. Since God does not speak, Job continues to question Him.

13:23 iniquities and sins In this verse, Job strings together several Hebrew words for sin: awon, chatta'th, and pesha'. Job wants God to explain what he did to warrant such severe punishment. Whether it was a combination of sins or a specific wrongdoing, Job wants an answer.

13:24 do you hide your face God does not see or acknowledge Job’s prayers.

13:25 a blown leaf Leaves and chaff or stubble are objects with no strength to withstand the wind.

13:26 the iniquities of my childhood Because he cannot think of anything he might be guilty of, Job guesses that God is punishing him for past sin (Psa 25:7).

13:27 you carve a mark on the soles of my feet God has Job under constant watch, like a prisoner.

13:28 something rotten The Hebrew word used here, raqav, is most often used to describe rottenness in the bones (see Prov 12:4; 14:30; Hab 3:16).