Job 13:21 - withdraw your hand far from me; and don’t let your terror make me afraid.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Job 13:21" mean?
This verse, Job 13:21, expresses Job's plea to God in the midst of his suffering. It can be broken down and understood as follows:
"Withdraw your hand far from me": Job feels that God is afflicting him directly, as if God's hand is upon him, pressing him down with suffering. He's asking God to lessen the intensity of his suffering, to back away from the direct assault. It's a plea for respite.
"Don't let your terror make me afraid": Job is overwhelmed by the fear of God. He's not just suffering physically or emotionally, but also spiritually, grappling with the awesomeness and incomprehensibility of God's power and judgment. He is asking God to stop inspiring fear in him. He wants a clearer understanding, not a terrifying mystery. He seeks to converse with God without being paralyzed by fear.
In essence, Job is pleading for two things:
1. Relief from suffering: He wants the direct pressure of God's affliction to ease up.
2. Clarity and reduced fear: He wants to be able to reason with God, to understand why he is suffering, but he can't do that if he's paralyzed by terror of God's power. He needs God to hold back His terrifying aspect so that Job can approach Him.
Contextual Understanding:
It's important to remember the context of the book of Job. Job is a righteous man who has suffered immense losses. He doesn't understand why this has happened to him. He believes he is innocent and deserving of God's favor, not punishment. His friends try to explain his suffering as a consequence of sin, but Job rejects this explanation. Job seeks to confront God directly, to understand the reasons for his suffering.
Theological Implications:
This verse raises important theological questions about the nature of God, suffering, and the relationship between humanity and divinity. It shows Job's struggle with the seemingly arbitrary nature of suffering and his desire for justice and understanding from God. It reflects the human desire to comprehend God's actions, even when those actions seem inexplicable and unjust. It is a cry from the heart of a man in great anguish to know God's intention towards him.
Alternative Interpretations:
Some commentators interpret "terror" as referring not just to fear of God's power, but also to the terrifying nature of Job's dreams and visions, which he attributes to God. In this interpretation, Job is asking God to stop sending him such disturbing visions.
In conclusion, Job 13:21 is a powerful plea from a man overwhelmed by suffering and the terrifying aspects of God's power. It's a request for both physical relief and a more approachable, less fear-inducing divine presence. It highlights the complexities of faith, suffering, and the human relationship with God.
Job 13:21 - withdraw your hand far from me; and don’t let your terror make me afraid.
What does "Job 13:21" mean?
This verse, Job 13:21, expresses Job's plea to God in the midst of his suffering. It can be broken down and understood as follows:
"Withdraw your hand far from me": Job feels that God is afflicting him directly, as if God's hand is upon him, pressing him down with suffering. He's asking God to lessen the intensity of his suffering, to back away from the direct assault. It's a plea for respite.
"Don't let your terror make me afraid": Job is overwhelmed by the fear of God. He's not just suffering physically or emotionally, but also spiritually, grappling with the awesomeness and incomprehensibility of God's power and judgment. He is asking God to stop inspiring fear in him. He wants a clearer understanding, not a terrifying mystery. He seeks to converse with God without being paralyzed by fear.
In essence, Job is pleading for two things:
1. Relief from suffering: He wants the direct pressure of God's affliction to ease up.
2. Clarity and reduced fear: He wants to be able to reason with God, to understand why he is suffering, but he can't do that if he's paralyzed by terror of God's power. He needs God to hold back His terrifying aspect so that Job can approach Him.
Contextual Understanding:
It's important to remember the context of the book of Job. Job is a righteous man who has suffered immense losses. He doesn't understand why this has happened to him. He believes he is innocent and deserving of God's favor, not punishment. His friends try to explain his suffering as a consequence of sin, but Job rejects this explanation. Job seeks to confront God directly, to understand the reasons for his suffering.
Theological Implications:
This verse raises important theological questions about the nature of God, suffering, and the relationship between humanity and divinity. It shows Job's struggle with the seemingly arbitrary nature of suffering and his desire for justice and understanding from God. It reflects the human desire to comprehend God's actions, even when those actions seem inexplicable and unjust. It is a cry from the heart of a man in great anguish to know God's intention towards him.
Alternative Interpretations:
Some commentators interpret "terror" as referring not just to fear of God's power, but also to the terrifying nature of Job's dreams and visions, which he attributes to God. In this interpretation, Job is asking God to stop sending him such disturbing visions.
In conclusion, Job 13:21 is a powerful plea from a man overwhelmed by suffering and the terrifying aspects of God's power. It's a request for both physical relief and a more approachable, less fear-inducing divine presence. It highlights the complexities of faith, suffering, and the human relationship with God.