Job 13:16
He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הוּא
H1931
הוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 9
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה
He also shall be my salvation
H3444
לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה
He also shall be my salvation
Strong's:
H3444
Word #:
4 of 9
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְ֝פָנָ֗יו
before
H6440
לְ֝פָנָ֗יו
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Isaiah 33:14The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?Psalms 118:21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.Acts 13:47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.Psalms 27:1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?Psalms 118:14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.Job 8:13So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:Job 36:13But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.Jeremiah 3:23Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.Exodus 15:2The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Historical Context
Ancient piety often emphasized maintaining proper forms and avoiding controversial speech. Job here radically asserts that honesty, even painful honesty, characterizes true faith rather than hypocrisy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does integrity in suffering—honest lament—differ from hypocritical piety?
- What gives us confidence to approach God when we're angry, confused, or despairing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.' Paradoxically, the very God Job will confront is his 'salvation' (יְשׁוּעָה, yeshuah). Job's assurance: 'an hypocrite' (חָנֵף, chanef—godless, profane) cannot 'come before' (יָבוֹא, yavo) God. Job's integrity gives him confidence to approach God honestly. This is faith's paradox—the God who wounds is the only source of healing. Job's honesty proves he's no hypocrite; the friends' pious platitudes may conceal godlessness. True faith can express complaint; hypocrisy requires maintaining appearances. Hebrews 4:16 invites bold approach to God's throne. Job models confidence rooted in integrity, not perfection.