Job 35:13

Authorized King James Version

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Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

Original Language Analysis

אַךְ H389
אַךְ
Strong's: H389
Word #: 1 of 8
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
שָׁ֭וְא vanity H7723
שָׁ֭וְא vanity
Strong's: H7723
Word #: 2 of 8
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁמַ֥ע׀ will not hear H8085
יִשְׁמַ֥ע׀ will not hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 4 of 8
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵ֑ל Surely God H410
אֵ֑ל Surely God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 5 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י neither will the Almighty H7706
וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י neither will the Almighty
Strong's: H7706
Word #: 6 of 8
the almighty
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה׃ regard H7789
יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה׃ regard
Strong's: H7789
Word #: 8 of 8
to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for

Analysis & Commentary

Surely God will not hear vanity (אַךְ־שָׁוְא לֹא־יִשְׁמַע אֵל, akh-shav' lo-yishma El)—The noun shav (שָׁוְא, vanity, emptiness, falsehood) describes worthless prayers. God doesn't hear (shama, שָׁמַע) empty religiosity. The phrase neither will the Almighty regard it (וְשַׁדַּי לֹא יְשׁוּרֶנָּה, ve-Shaddai lo yeshurenah) uses shuwr (שׁוּר, "to see, look at, regard"). Both covenant names (El, Shaddai) emphasize God's character as refusing hollow worship. This echoes Jesus: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth... but their heart is far from me" (Matthew 15:8).

Elihu rightly condemns empty religiosity but wrongly assumes Job's prayers are vain. The gospel reveals a profound truth: God doesn't hear our prayers because they're eloquent or worthy but because of Christ's mediation. We approach "in Jesus's name" (John 14:13-14), not our own merit. Even our weak prayers are heard (Romans 8:26, "the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered"). Christ transforms our vanity into acceptable worship through His perfect priesthood.

Historical Context

Prophetic tradition consistently condemned empty worship: Isaiah 1:11-15 (God sick of sacrifices without justice), Amos 5:21-24 ("I hate your feast days"), Micah 6:6-8 (what does God require? justice, mercy, humility). Jesus continued this: Matthew 6:5-8 (against vain repetitions), John 4:23-24 (worship in spirit and truth). Reformation recovered this: true worship requires faith, not mere external performance. Elihu stands in this tradition, though he wrongly applies it to Job.

Questions for Reflection