Job 13:16 is a complex verse that's open to some interpretation, but here's a breakdown of the common understanding:
"This also shall be my salvation": Job is stating that something he's about to do or say will ultimately contribute to his vindication or deliverance. He's using "salvation" here in the sense of being proven righteous, justified in his suffering, or ultimately being restored.
"that a godless man shall not come before him": This is the more ambiguous part. "Him" likely refers to God. "Godless man" can be translated as "hypocrite," "unbeliever," or someone who is profane or lacks reverence for God. So, the verse is essentially saying that the action he is about to take will ensure that no one who is not truly devout, or no hypocrite, will get an audience with God.
The combined meaning is that Job believes that his upcoming statement or defense will serve to purify the audience before God. He's confident that his sincerity and faith, even in the face of immense suffering, will be evident, thereby preventing any insincere or wicked person from approaching God with ill intentions. In other words, it may be that Job believes that the godless man, the hypocrite, or the unbeliever will be deterred by his own faith.
Job 13:16 is a complex verse that's open to some interpretation, but here's a breakdown of the common understanding:
"This also shall be my salvation": Job is stating that something he's about to do or say will ultimately contribute to his vindication or deliverance. He's using "salvation" here in the sense of being proven righteous, justified in his suffering, or ultimately being restored.
"that a godless man shall not come before him": This is the more ambiguous part. "Him" likely refers to God. "Godless man" can be translated as "hypocrite," "unbeliever," or someone who is profane or lacks reverence for God. So, the verse is essentially saying that the action he is about to take will ensure that no one who is not truly devout, or no hypocrite, will get an audience with God.
The combined meaning is that Job believes that his upcoming statement or defense will serve to purify the audience before God. He's confident that his sincerity and faith, even in the face of immense suffering, will be evident, thereby preventing any insincere or wicked person from approaching God with ill intentions. In other words, it may be that Job believes that the godless man, the hypocrite, or the unbeliever will be deterred by his own faith.
