Job 13:8
Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
Original Language Analysis
הֲפָנָ֥יו
his person
H6440
הֲפָנָ֥יו
his person
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
1 of 5
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
תִּשָּׂא֑וּן
Will ye accept
H5375
תִּשָּׂא֑וּן
Will ye accept
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 5
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
3 of 5
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Historical Context
Ancient legal culture prohibited showing partiality even toward the powerful. Job here suggests the friends violate this principle, showing partiality toward God by bearing false witness against Job.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we defend God's character without resorting to falsehood or injustice?
- In what ways does misguided zeal for God lead us to sin against others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?' Job questions whether the friends are showing partiality (נָשָׂא פָנִים, nasa panim—lift up face, show favoritism) toward God or 'contending' (תְּרִיבוּן, teribun—striving, arguing) for Him. The irony: they think they're defending God by accusing Job, but they're actually bearing false witness. Deuteronomy 1:17 and Leviticus 19:15 prohibit partiality in judgment. Even defending God doesn't justify falsehood or injustice. God doesn't need our lies to protect His reputation. Romans 3:7-8 addresses this—we shouldn't do evil that good may come. The friends' zeal for God blinds them to their injustice toward Job.