Job 23 · a question people ask

Job wants to come before God (23:3), then says, "I am terrified at his presence" (23:15). Why both?

In the text

The chapter gives Job's own therefore. "But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does" (23:13). "For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him" (23:14). "Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him" (23:15). "For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me" (23:16). Earlier in the chapter he says what he hopes a hearing would be: "Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me" (23:6). He has set the two side by side before: he asked God, "withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid" (13:21), and then, "Then call, and I will answer" (13:22). Eliphaz had said to him, "Therefore snares are around you. Sudden fear troubles you" (22:10), where troubles is the verb of 23:15's terrified (tap terrified). The chapter gives no more reason than these verses, and these notes don't add one.

The verses

“Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!”
Job 23:3 · World English Bible
“Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.”
Job 23:6 · World English Bible
“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does. For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him. Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him. For God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me.”
Job 23:13-16 · World English Bible
“withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid. Then call, and I will answer, or let me speak, and you answer me.”
Job 13:21-22 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Job 23

Job 23: I will come out like gold

The necessary food Job ranks below the words of God's mouth (23:12) and the that which is appointed for me God performs (23:14) are one Hebrew word, choq, with the same my. And the four directions where Job can't find God (23:8-9) are Hebrew words for front, back, left and right.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions