Job 13:11
Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹ֣א
H3808
הֲלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׂ֭אֵתוֹ
Shall not his excellency
H7613
שְׂ֭אֵתוֹ
Shall not his excellency
Strong's:
H7613
Word #:
2 of 7
an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּ֝פַחְדּ֗וֹ
and his dread
H6343
וּ֝פַחְדּ֗וֹ
and his dread
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
5 of 7
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite worship emphasized God's transcendence and holiness (Exodus 19:16-25, 1 Samuel 6:19-20). Job's friends treated theology as an intellectual exercise; Job insists authentic God-knowledge produces awe and reverence, not confident explanations of suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- Has your understanding of God's holiness made you more cautious about explaining others' suffering?
- In what ways does modern theology sometimes lack the 'terror' and 'dread' of God's excellency?
- How can we balance speaking truthfully about God with appropriate fear and trembling?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Shall not his excellency make you afraid? (הֲלֹא שְׂאֵתוֹ תְּבַעֵת אֶתְכֶם, halo se'eto teva'et etkhem)—Se'eto (his majesty/excellency/rising up) conveys God's transcendent glory. Teva'et means 'terrify, make suddenly afraid.' Job argues that true fear of God should silence glib explanations of divine providence.
And his dread fall upon you? (וּפַחְדּוֹ יִפֹּל עֲלֵיכֶם, u-fakhdo yipol aleikhem)—Pakhdo (his terror/dread) appears throughout Job (e.g., 9:34, 13:21) as the overwhelming weight of God's presence. Job contends that his friends' casual theology betrays they've never truly encountered the terrifying holiness they claim to defend. This echoes Isaiah's experience (Isaiah 6:5) and anticipates God's whirlwind speech (Job 38-41).