Job 13:14

KJV

Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore do I take {H5375} my flesh {H1320} in my teeth {H8127}, and put {H7760} my life {H5315} in mine hand {H3709}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why am I taking my flesh in my teeth, taking my life in my hands?

Berean Standard Bible

Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?

American Standard Version

Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 13:14 captures Job's profound desperation and audacious resolve as he stands before his friends, determined to present his case directly to God, even if it means risking his very life. This verse encapsulates his willingness to gamble everything—his physical well-being and his very existence—for the chance to be heard and vindicated by the Almighty, showcasing his unwavering commitment to his integrity despite overwhelming suffering and misunderstanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 13:14 is situated within Job's third discourse (chapters 12-14), where he responds to Zophar and continues to challenge the conventional wisdom of his three friends. Having dismissed their counsel as "proverbs of ashes" and "defenses of clay" in [Job 13:12](/job/13-12 "Job 13:12 - Job's Scorn for His Friends' Wisdom"), Job asserts his right to speak directly to God, regardless of the consequences. The verse immediately precedes Job's famous declaration of trust, "[Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Job's Unwavering Trust")" ([Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Job's Unwavering Trust")), highlighting the depth of his faith even in the face of perceived divine hostility. This section underscores Job's unwavering conviction of his own righteousness and his desperate plea for a direct audience with God to plead his case, bypassing the flawed human judgment of his companions. The preceding verses establish Job's frustration with his friends' simplistic theology and his desire for a direct encounter with God, making verse 14 a pivotal declaration of his radical intent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, suffering was often interpreted as a direct consequence of sin, a prevailing theological framework that Job's friends rigidly adhere to. Job, however, experiences immense suffering despite his righteousness, challenging this conventional retribution theology. The concept of a legal dispute or "lawsuit" (Hebrew: _rib_) against God, while audacious, was not entirely unknown in the ancient world, reflecting a desire for justice and vindication. To "put one's life in one's hand" was a recognized idiom for taking an extreme risk or acting with desperate courage, often in battle or in a perilous journey. Job's willingness to engage in such a dangerous endeavor reflects the cultural understanding of the gravity of a direct confrontation with a powerful entity, in this case, God Himself, who held ultimate power over life and death. His words signify a willingness to face the ultimate penalty for the sake of his integrity and truth.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it highlights the **integrity of Job** and his unwavering commitment to his own righteousness, even when accused by his closest friends and seemingly abandoned by God. Secondly, it explores the theme of **human wisdom versus divine wisdom**, as Job rejects the simplistic, formulaic theology of his friends in favor of a direct, albeit perilous, encounter with the incomprehensible wisdom of God, a theme that culminates in God's speeches in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Response to Job"). Thirdly, it powerfully expresses **desperation and radical trust** in the face of inexplicable suffering, showcasing Job's resolve to seek vindication from God alone, even if it means sacrificing his life. This act of audacious faith underscores the theme of **theodicy**—the attempt to reconcile God's justice and goodness with the existence of evil and suffering—as Job demands an answer from the one he believes can provide it. The tension between Job's suffering and his persistent faith is a central motif throughout the entire book, leading to his ultimate restoration in [Job 42](/job/42 "Job's Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** H1320. Refers to the physical body, the material aspect of human existence. In this context, it emphasizes Job's vulnerability and mortality. To "take my flesh in my teeth" vividly portrays a self-destructive act or an extreme, desperate measure where one's very physical being is at stake, highlighting the depth of Job's anguish and his willingness to endanger his physical self. It speaks of a desperate, perhaps even savage, determination.
* **Life (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** H5315. More than just biological life, _nephesh_ encompasses the entire being—soul, self, vital breath, personhood. It signifies Job's very essence and existence. To "put my life in mine hand" means to hold one's entire being, one's very existence, precariously, ready to lose it. This underscores the ultimate stake in Job's proposed confrontation with God, indicating that he is willing to forfeit his very being for the sake of his vindication.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _kaph'_):** H3709. Refers to the hollow hand or palm, figuratively symbolizing power, control, and agency. When something is "in one's hand," it is under their control or at their disposal. In the idiom "put my life in mine hand," it implies that Job himself is taking control of his destiny in a desperate, perilous way, placing his life on the line and accepting the full risk of its forfeiture. It signifies a conscious, deliberate act of self-endangerment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth,"**: This is a rhetorical question expressing Job's bewildered determination. The idiom "take my flesh in my teeth" is a vivid and somewhat gruesome metaphor. It suggests a wild animal gnawing at its own flesh out of extreme desperation or rage, or a person so consumed by their plight that they are willing to inflict self-harm or engage in a suicidal act. It conveys a sense of extreme peril, reckless abandon, and a willingness to face ultimate destruction in pursuit of a crucial objective—in Job's case, an audience with God. It signifies that Job is acting with an intensity that borders on self-annihilation, driven by his conviction of innocence and his demand for justice.
* **"and put my life in mine hand?"**: This is a parallel rhetorical question, reinforcing the previous clause. The idiom "put my life in mine hand" means to hold one's life loosely, to be prepared to lose it, or to take an extreme, desperate gamble. It signifies a profound act of self-endangerment, where one's very existence is held precariously, ready to be forfeited. Job is declaring his readiness to face death, to put everything on the line, for the sake of his vindication before God. He is not merely risking his reputation or possessions, but his very being, demonstrating an ultimate commitment to his cause.

#### Literary Devices
Job 13:14 is rich in **idiomatic expressions** and **metaphor**. The phrases "take my flesh in my teeth" and "put my life in mine hand" are powerful Hebrew idioms that function as vivid metaphors for extreme peril, desperate resolve, and audacious courage. They are not to be taken literally but convey a profound willingness to risk everything, even life itself, for a cause. The verse also employs **parallelism**, a common feature of Hebrew poetry, where the second clause ("and put my life in mine hand?") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first ("Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth?"), creating a cumulative effect that emphasizes Job's radical commitment. Furthermore, the entire verse is framed as a **rhetorical question**, not seeking an answer but powerfully asserting Job's determined and desperate stance before his friends and, implicitly, before God. This rhetorical device underscores the unreasonableness of his friends' accusations and the profound depth of his suffering and resolve.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 13:14 speaks to the profound human experience of suffering and the audacious faith that can emerge from it. It highlights that true trust in God is not merely intellectual assent but a radical commitment, even when God's actions seem contrary to His character. Job's willingness to risk everything for a direct encounter with God demonstrates a faith that transcends conventional piety and demands an answer from the divine. This verse sets the stage for Job's ultimate vindication, suggesting that God honors such desperate, yet sincere, pursuit of truth and justice. It challenges believers to confront their own suffering with honesty and to seek God directly, even when His presence feels distant or His ways inscrutable. It encapsulates the tension between human suffering and unwavering faith, a central theme of the entire book.

* [Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job's Unwavering Trust Amidst Despair")
* [Psalm 119:109](/psalms/119-109 "Life in Hand, Yet Commandments Kept")
* [Acts 20:24](/acts/20-24 "Paul's Resolve to Finish His Course")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 13:14 offers a profound challenge and comfort to believers navigating periods of intense suffering, misunderstanding, or spiritual crisis. It encourages us to cultivate a radical honesty with God, bringing our deepest anguish, confusion, and even our most audacious demands before Him, rather than succumbing to despair or superficial piety. Job's example reminds us that genuine faith is not the absence of doubt or pain, but the courageous act of pressing into God despite them. When human wisdom fails, and friends offer only platitudes or condemnation, Job teaches us to seek our vindication and understanding from God alone, even if it feels like a desperate gamble. This verse calls us to examine our own willingness to risk comfort, reputation, or even perceived safety for the sake of truth and a deeper encounter with the Divine. It's a call to trust God's ultimate justice and goodness, even when He seems to be our adversary, holding onto the hope that He will ultimately hear and respond to our cries. It challenges us to consider what we are truly willing to "put in our hand" for the sake of our relationship with God and His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you holding back from a full, honest confrontation with God, perhaps out of fear of what He might say or do?**
* **When faced with misunderstanding or false accusations from others, how often do you truly seek God's vindication rather than human approval?**
* **What "flesh" or "life" are you unwilling to put "in your teeth" or "in your hand" for the sake of deeper truth or a more profound relationship with God?**
* **How does Job's desperate courage challenge your own understanding of what it means to trust God in the midst of extreme adversity?**

### FAQ

**What exactly do the idioms "take my flesh in my teeth" and "put my life in mine hand" mean?**

Answer: These are powerful Hebrew idioms conveying extreme peril and desperate resolve. "To take my flesh in my teeth" suggests a person so desperate or enraged that they are willing to inflict self-harm or act with reckless, self-destructive determination. It vividly portrays a situation where one's very physical existence is at stake. "To put my life in mine hand" means to hold one's life loosely, to be prepared to lose it, or to take a desperate, high-stakes gamble. It signifies a profound act of self-endangerment, where one's life is literally held precariously, ready to be forfeited. Together, they emphasize Job's willingness to risk everything, even death, for the chance to confront God and be vindicated. This is not suicidal ideation but an expression of ultimate commitment to his cause.

**Is Job being suicidal or disrespectful towards God in this verse?**

Answer: No, Job is not expressing suicidal intent in the modern sense. Rather, he is using a hyperbolic, idiomatic expression to convey the extreme danger and audacious courage involved in his desire to confront God directly. He is declaring his willingness to accept the ultimate consequence—death—if it means having an audience with God and clearing his name. Far from being disrespectful, this act, especially when paired with [Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Job's Unwavering Trust"), demonstrates a profound, albeit agonizing, trust in God's ultimate justice and a deep desire for vindication from the only one who can truly provide it. It's an act of desperate faith, not despair, showing that even in his deepest anguish, Job still believes God is the ultimate source of truth and justice.

**How does Job 13:14 relate to trusting God when His ways are unclear?**

Answer: This verse profoundly illustrates trust beyond understanding. Despite his immense suffering and confusion, and despite God's apparent silence or even hostility, Job retains a deep-seated belief that God is just and that he will ultimately be vindicated. His willingness to risk everything for a divine encounter is born not of despair, but of a radical, agonizing trust in God's ultimate righteousness. It teaches us that true faith can persevere through the darkest valleys, even when we cannot comprehend God's actions or purposes, and that an honest, even desperate, cry to God is a form of profound trust. It foreshadows Job's ultimate declaration in [Job 42:5](/job/42-5 "Job 42:5 - Job's Encounter with God"), "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you," indicating that his desperate pursuit led to a deeper, more personal encounter with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate resolve to put his life on the line for the sake of vindication before God finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Job, in his human frailty, risked his life to plead his own case, Christ, in His divine perfection, willingly laid down His life not for His own vindication, but for ours. The imagery of "taking flesh in teeth" and "putting life in hand" speaks of extreme self-sacrifice and a willingness to face death. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly embodied this resolve in His journey to the cross. In Gethsemane, He faced an agony that truly put His "life in His hand," praying, "[Not my will, but yours be done](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), fully embracing the perilous path of suffering and death. Unlike Job, who sought to prove his own righteousness, Christ, though perfectly righteous, became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2-corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")) and endured the ultimate abandonment, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Yet, through His willing sacrifice, He achieved not merely personal vindication, but the redemption of all who believe. His resurrection is the ultimate vindication, not just of His integrity, but of God's perfect justice and love, proving that death could not hold the one who perfectly "put His life in His hand" for the sake of the world ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead")). Thus, Job's desperate cry foreshadows the perfect and redemptive self-offering of Christ, who truly risked and gave everything for our eternal salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 12:3

And when I saw that ye delivered [me] not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?

Psalms 119:109

¶ My soul [is] continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

1 Samuel 28:21

And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

Job 18:4

He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?

1 Samuel 19:5

For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest [it], and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

Ecclesiastes 4:5

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

Isaiah 9:20

And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: