Job 35:14
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
Original Language Analysis
אַ֣ף
Although
H637
אַ֣ף
Although
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
1 of 9
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
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
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ
thou shalt not see
H7789
תְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ
thou shalt not see
Strong's:
H7789
Word #:
5 of 9
to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for
דִּ֥ין
him yet judgment
H1779
דִּ֥ין
him yet judgment
Strong's:
H1779
Word #:
6 of 9
judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
לְ֝פָנָ֗יו
is before
H6440
לְ֝פָנָ֗יו
is 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
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions offered tangible divine presence through idols and temples. Israel's prohibition of images and experience of exile created crises of divine absence. Prophets addressed this: Hosea's God withdrawing from unfaithful Israel (Hosea 5:6, 15), Isaiah's hidden God (Isaiah 8:17), Jeremiah's absent God during exile. Yet prophetic faith maintained confidence in covenant faithfulness despite felt absence. This prepared for NT faith: walking by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain faith when God seems absent or silent?
- What is the difference between God's felt absence and actual abandonment?
- How does Christ's experience of forsakenness (Mark 15:34) ensure believers are never truly abandoned?
Analysis & Commentary
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him (אַף כִּי־תֹאמַר לֹא תְשׁוּרֶנּוּ, aph ki-tomar lo teshurennu)—The phrase refers to Job's complaint of God's hiddenness (Job 9:11, 13:24, 23:8-9). The verb shuwr (שׁוּר, "to see, perceive") indicates Job feels God is invisible, absent. The phrase yet judgment is before him (דִּין לְפָנָיו, din lephanav) uses din (דִּין, judgment, justice), assuring that God's justice operates despite appearances. The phrase therefore trust thou in him (וּתְחוֹלֵל לוֹ, utecholel lo) uses chul (חוּל, "to wait, hope, trust"). Elihu counsels Job to trust despite God's perceived absence.
The hiddenness of God (Deus absconditus) is profound theological theme. Isaiah 45:15: "Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself." Yet Psalm 22:24 assures: "He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him." Job experiences God's felt absence, not actual abandonment. Christ endured ultimate God-forsakenness (Mark 15:34) so believers need never be truly abandoned (Hebrews 13:5). Faith trusts God's character when unable to trace His hand (Romans 8:24-25, "hope that is seen is not hope").