Job 13:21
Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
Original Language Analysis
כַּ֭פְּךָ
thine hand
H3709
כַּ֭פְּךָ
thine hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
1 of 6
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
מֵעָלַ֣י
H5921
מֵעָלַ֣י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 6
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַרְחַ֑ק
Withdraw
H7368
הַרְחַ֑ק
Withdraw
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
3 of 6
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
וְ֝אֵ֥מָתְךָ֗
from me and let not thy dread
H367
וְ֝אֵ֥מָתְךָ֗
from me and let not thy dread
Strong's:
H367
Word #:
4 of 6
fright; concrete, an idol (as a bugbear)
Historical Context
Divine dread accompanied theophanies throughout Scripture. Moses couldn't look at God's face (Exodus 33:20); Isaiah expected death after seeing the Lord (Isaiah 6:5). Job's request reflects biblical realism about human frailty before divine majesty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's mediation address Job's twin concerns—bearing God's judgment and removing terror?
- When has suffering or fear prevented you from freely communicating with God?
- What does Job's honesty about fear teach us about authentic prayer?
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Analysis & Commentary
Job's first request: 'Withdraw thine hand far from me.' He asks God to remove the affliction crushing him. The 'hand of God' represents divine power and judgment—Job can't present his case while overwhelmed by suffering. His second request: 'let not thy dread make me afraid.' The Hebrew 'emah' (dread/terror) describes the overwhelming fear of divine presence. Job needs relief from both physical suffering and psychological terror to speak freely.