Job 13:9
Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
Original Language Analysis
הֲ֭טוֹב
H2896
הֲ֭טוֹב
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
1 of 9
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַחְקֹ֣ר
that he should search you out
H2713
יַחְקֹ֣ר
that he should search you out
Strong's:
H2713
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 9
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תְּהָתֵ֥לּוּ
another do ye so mock
H2048
תְּהָתֵ֥לּוּ
another do ye so mock
Strong's:
H2048
Word #:
6 of 9
to deride; by implication, to cheat
בֶּ֝אֱנ֗וֹשׁ
H376
בֶּ֝אֱנ֗וֹשׁ
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 9
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
In ancient judicial systems, bearing false witness was a capital offense (Deuteronomy 19:16-21). Job's friends believed they were defending God's honor by insisting on Job's hidden guilt, but Job argues they're committing perjury—offering false testimony to make God's actions appear just.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might well-intentioned religious explanations become 'false testimony' about God's character?
- How do you respond when your theology doesn't match someone else's lived experience of suffering?
- What does it mean that God searches our hearts more thoroughly than we search others' lives?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Is it good that he should search you out? (הֲטוֹב כִּי־יַחְקֹר אֶתְכֶם, hatov ki-yakhqor etkhem)—Job turns the tables on his accusers. Yakhqor means 'to examine thoroughly, investigate, search out'—the same word used of God searching hearts (Psalm 139:1). Job warns that the divine scrutiny they invoke against him will expose their own falsehood.
As one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?—The Hebrew hatalu (mock, deceive) implies treating someone as a fool. Job accuses his friends of attempting to deceive God with pious platitudes and false testimony, as if the Almighty could be manipulated like a human judge accepting bribes of religious rhetoric.