Job 13:17-22 Meaning: A Bold Plea for a Fair Hearing
17Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
18See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
19Who is he who will contend with me? For then I would hold my peace and give up the spirit.
20“Only don’t do two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face:
21withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid.
22Then call, and I will answer, or let me speak, and you answer me.
17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
18Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
20Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
21Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
17Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.
18Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.
19Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.
20Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:
21Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.
22Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.
17Hear ye diligently my word, And my declaration with your ears.
18Lo, I pray you, I have set in order the cause, I have known that I am righteous.
19Who is he that doth strive with me? For now I keep silent and gasp.
20Only two things, O God, do with me: Then from Thy face I am not hidden.
21Thy hand put far off from me, And Thy terror let not terrify me.
22And call Thou, and I--I answer, Or--I speak, and answer Thou me.
17Hear attentively my speech and my declaration with your ears.
18Behold now, I have ordered the cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19Who is he that contendeth with me? For if I were silent now, I should expire.
20Only do not two things unto me; then will I not hide myself from thee.
21Withdraw thy hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid:
22Then call, and I will answer; or I will speak, and answer thou me.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Job demand his friends listen? He is confident in his innocence and asks God for a fair hearing. This passage reveals honest lament.
Context
Job has listened to his friends’ accusations for chapters. Now he insists they hear him out completely. He has prepared his case and is certain he is in the right. Then he turns from them to address God directly, asking for two things: that God would remove the heavy hand of affliction, and that He would not terrify him. Only then can Job stand before God honestly. He wants a true dialogue, God calls and Job answers, or Job speaks and God responds. This is not arrogance; it is the cry of a man who trusts God enough to bring his raw pain into the open.
Key Words
Job uses the word achvah for his declaration, a term for an explanation, something carefully set out. He is not blurting out emotions; he has thought through his case. The word mishpat, his “cause,” is a legal term for a judgment or a case in court. Job has arranged it like a lawyer prepares evidence. And when he says “I know that I am righteous,” the verb tsadaq means to be in the right, to have a just cause. It is the same word used when a judge declares someone not guilty. Job is not claiming sinless perfection; he is asserting that, on the specific charges his friends have made, he is innocent. These words show a man who desperately wants his day in court, with God as the judge.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read Job’s words here in different ways. Some early Reformed commentators, like Matthew Henry, saw Job’s firmness as commendable: “He takes fresh hold, fast hold, of his integrity.” Others, like Wesley, thought Job sounded too self-confident: “This proposal savoured of self-confidence, and of irreverence towards God.” Modern readers often appreciate Job’s raw honesty and his refusal to pretend. Across traditions, there is agreement that Job is using courtroom language to express his deep longing for God to hear his case. The question is whether his boldness is faith or presumption. The passage leaves room for both reactions, reminding us that God does not turn away an honest heart, even when it struggles.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Job is claiming to be sinlessly perfect when he says “I know that I am righteous.” In fact, Job is not claiming to have never sinned. He acknowledges the iniquities of his youth in verse 26. What he insists on is that he is not guilty of the specific hypocrisy and hidden wickedness his friends accuse him of. He is maintaining his integrity, not his perfection.
Living This Out
This passage invites you to bring your honest, prepared case before God. You may be in a season where you feel misunderstood, or where God seems silent or even against you. Take time this week to write out your thoughts, what you would say to God if you could have a fair hearing. Then bring that to Him in prayer, asking Him to remove whatever blocks your sense of His presence. Like Job, you don’t have to pretend. You can ask God to speak, and promise to answer. You can also choose to speak first and invite His response. The point is not to be right, but to be real with the One who hears.
Main takeaway: When suffering threatens to silence us, we can still approach God with honesty and the confidence that He hears our case.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Job was very sad and sick. His friends said bad things about him, but Job knew he had tried to be good. He asked God to listen and to be close again.
For ages 9, 12
Job was suffering terribly, and his friends kept accusing him of secret sin. But Job knew his own heart. He prepared his case like a lawyer going to court. Then he turned to God and asked for a fair hearing. He wanted God to stop afflicting him and not to terrify him, so they could talk honestly. This shows us that we can bring our honest questions to God, even when life is hard. God is big enough to handle our honesty.
Questions People Ask
Why does Job say 'I know that I am righteous'?
Job is not claiming to be sinless. He is asserting his innocence of the specific charges his friends made, that he must be hiding some great sin. He maintains his integrity before God.
What are the two things Job asks of God in Job 13:20-21?
Job asks God to withdraw His afflicting hand (remove the suffering) and not let His terror frighten him. He wants to be able to speak freely without being overwhelmed.
Is Job being arrogant in this passage?
Many readers wrestle with this. Some commentators see bold faith; others see self-confidence that borders on irreverence. Job's words are raw and honest. He trusts God enough to bring his case directly, which requires both courage and faith.
What does 'ordered my cause' mean in Job 13:18?
The Hebrew word mishpat means a legal case or judgment. Job has carefully prepared his defense. He is ready to argue his innocence before God, like a defendant who has gathered all evidence.
How does this passage point to honest prayer?
Job shows that we can bring our pain, confusion, and even demands to God. He does not pretend or hide. He asks for a fair hearing. This models a relationship with God that is real and unfiltered.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study