Job 13:16

KJV

He also [shall be] my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

KJV (with Strong's)

He also shall be my salvation {H3444}: for an hypocrite {H2611} shall not come {H935} before {H6440} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

And this is what will save me -that a hypocrite cannot appear before him.

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.

American Standard Version

This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 13:16 is a profound declaration of faith and self-vindication by Job amidst his intense suffering and the relentless accusations of his friends. Despite his dire circumstances and the prevailing belief that his affliction must stem from hidden sin, Job asserts his unwavering conviction that God Himself will be his ultimate deliverance and justification. He grounds this audacious claim in the theological truth that only those with genuine integrity, and not the "hypocrite" or impious, can truly stand in God's presence and receive His favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 13:16 is situated within Job's third cycle of speeches, specifically as he directly addresses God and passionately refutes his friends' arguments. The preceding verse, where Job famously declares, "[Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Job's Trust in God Amidst Suffering")," sets the stage for verse 16. Here, Job continues to express radical trust and a defiant assertion of his righteousness. He is not merely hoping for deliverance but is convinced that his very ability to approach God, unlike a hypocrite, is proof of his integrity and will lead to divine vindication. The immediate context is that of a courtroom drama, where Job, the accused, is pleading his case before the ultimate Judge, God Himself, confident in his own innocence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job reflects the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which frequently grappled with the profound problem of suffering, divine justice, and the nature of righteousness. In this cultural milieu, suffering was commonly interpreted as a direct consequence of sin, a concept known as retributive justice. Job's friends vehemently uphold this traditional view, accusing him of hidden iniquity. However, Job challenges this simplistic theology. The concept of "coming before God" implies a legal or judicial standing, where one presents a case or is granted an audience, signifying acceptance or vindication. Hypocrisy, or more accurately, impiety, was seen as a severe affront to the divine, rendering one unfit for God's presence or blessing, as it violated the covenantal relationship and the expectation of genuine reverence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. It underscores the theme of **unwavering faith and trust in God's ultimate justice**, even when God's actions seem contradictory to human understanding, as seen in [Job's declaration of his Redeemer](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - Job's Declaration of his Redeemer"). It highlights the critical distinction between **outward piety and genuine integrity of heart**, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, from [Samuel's anointing of David](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart") to Jesus's condemnations of the Pharisees in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Jesus' Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees"). Furthermore, it speaks to **God's perfect discernment of the human heart**, emphasizing that true relationship with Him is founded on authenticity, not pretense, and that He alone sees and judges true righteousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yᵉshûwʻâh'_):** This term carries a broad semantic range, encompassing deliverance, help, welfare, victory, and rescue. Derived from the root meaning "to save," in Job's context, it signifies ultimate vindication and rescue from his troubles—not merely a spiritual salvation in the New Testament sense, but a comprehensive deliverance from his current plight and an affirmation of his righteousness before God. It implies God's active intervention to set things right for Job, restoring his health, honor, and prosperity.
* **Hypocrite (Hebrew, _chânêph'_):** This word is better translated as "godless," "impious," "profane," or "polluted." It denotes someone whose heart is fundamentally corrupt or estranged from God, lacking true reverence or moral integrity. It goes beyond mere pretense to describe a deep-seated spiritual condition, emphasizing a corrupt heart rather than just a deceptive outward show. Such a person is characterized by a lack of true fear of God and a disregard for His ways, rendering them unfit for genuine communion with the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He also [shall be] my salvation":** Job expresses profound, almost defiant, trust that God, despite being the apparent source of his suffering, will ultimately be his deliverer and vindicator. This is not a desperate plea but a confident assertion of faith. Job believes that God will not abandon him to his suffering but will intervene to prove his innocence and restore his well-being. This "salvation" is comprehensive, encompassing his physical, social, and spiritual restoration, a testament to his conviction that God's justice will prevail.
* **"for an hypocrite shall not come before him":** This clause provides the theological rationale for Job's confidence. He understands that God's justice and holiness preclude the godless (the "hypocrite" or impious) from standing in His presence and receiving vindication or favor. By asserting this truth, Job implicitly declares that he is *not* a hypocrite. His very ability to boldly approach God, to plead his case, and to maintain his integrity in the face of immense suffering is, for Job, proof that he is not among the impious who are shut out from God's favor and presence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 13:16 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its message. **Contrast** is central, sharply juxtaposing Job's declared integrity and his access to God with the exclusion of the "hypocrite." This highlights the fundamental difference between genuine faith and superficial religiosity, emphasizing the purity of heart required for divine audience. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as Job's friends accuse him of hidden sin, effectively labeling him a "hypocrite," yet Job uses this very principle to assert his own vindication, subtly implying that *they* might be the ones who cannot truly stand before God with integrity. The verse also functions as a powerful **Affirmation** or **Declaration** of Job's unwavering faith and self-righteousness, serving as a pivotal moment in his argument against his friends' traditional, yet flawed, theology of retributive justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 13:16 stands as a testament to Job's profound understanding of God's character as a righteous judge who discerns the heart, not merely outward appearances. It underscores the biblical truth that genuine relationship with God requires integrity and sincerity, not pretense or ritualistic performance. Job's confidence that God will be his "salvation" is rooted in his conviction that he is not among the "hypocrites" who cannot stand before a holy God. This verse challenges believers across all ages to examine the authenticity of their faith, reminding us that God sees beyond our external actions to the true condition of our hearts. It is a powerful affirmation that God ultimately vindicates those who walk in integrity, even when suffering unjustly, demonstrating His commitment to justice and truth.

* [Psalm 24:3-4](/psalm/24-3-4 "Psalm 24:3-4 - Who May Ascend the Hill of the Lord?")
* [Psalm 51:10](/psalm/51-10 "Psalm 51:10 - Create in Me a Clean Heart")
* [Matthew 5:8](/matthew/5-8 "Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 13:16 offers a profound challenge and comfort for contemporary believers. In a world often preoccupied with outward appearances and performance, Job's declaration reminds us that God's gaze penetrates to the deepest recesses of our being. Our ability to stand before Him, to truly commune with Him, is not predicated on flawless behavior or a lack of suffering, but on the sincerity and integrity of our hearts. When we face trials, accusations, or the temptation to compromise our faith, Job's unwavering trust encourages us to cling to God as our ultimate vindicator and source of deliverance. It calls us to cultivate a faith that is authentic, even in the midst of doubt and pain, trusting that God sees our true devotion and will ultimately bring about our salvation, in His perfect timing and way. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true spiritual health lies in the purity of our motives and the genuineness of our relationship with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to present a "hypocritical" facade rather than genuine integrity before God or others?**
* **How does Job's confidence in God as his "salvation" despite his suffering challenge your own understanding of divine deliverance and vindication?**
* **What does it mean for you, personally, to "come before" God, and how does the concept of sincerity and purity of heart impact that experience?**

### FAQ
**What does "salvation" mean in Job 13:16, and is it the same as New Testament salvation?**

Answer: In Job 13:16, "salvation" (Hebrew: _yᵉshûwʻâh_) primarily refers to Job's comprehensive deliverance and vindication from his current suffering and the accusations of his friends. It signifies God's active intervention to restore his well-being, prove his innocence, and re-establish his honor. While it carries a broad sense of rescue and well-being, it is not precisely the same as the New Testament concept of spiritual salvation from sin and eternal death through faith in Jesus Christ, as described in passages like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). Job's "salvation" is more about his earthly vindication and restoration of his relationship with God in the face of profound adversity.

**Who is the "hypocrite" that "shall not come before him"?**

Answer: The term "hypocrite" here (Hebrew: _chânêph_) is better understood as "godless," "impious," or "profane." It refers to an individual whose heart is fundamentally corrupt, lacking true reverence for God and genuine moral integrity. It's not just about outward pretense but a deep-seated spiritual condition of ungodliness. Such a person is unfit to stand in God's holy presence and receive His favor or vindication, as their very nature is antithetical to His holiness. Job's assertion is that because he is *not* such a person, he *can* boldly approach God and expect justice, unlike those who are truly alienated from God by their impiety. This concept of the ungodly being unable to stand in God's presence is further explored in [Psalm 1:6](/psalm/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous and the Ungodly").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's defiant declaration in Job 13:16, "He also [shall be] my salvation," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Job, in his suffering, yearned for a vindicator, someone who could stand between him and God, and prove his righteousness in the face of accusations. This longing foreshadows the role of Jesus, who is not only our "salvation" in the fullest sense—delivering us from sin, death, and the power of darkness—but also our perfect advocate and mediator before God. Unlike Job, who could only assert his own integrity, Christ is the righteous One who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus' Baptism and Righteousness")) and bore the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He enables us, who were once "hypocrites" or "godless" by nature and alienated from God ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Still Sinners")), to "come before Him" with confidence. Jesus exposes all hypocrisy ([Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Jesus' Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees")) and offers genuine reconciliation, making us acceptable in the Beloved ([Ephesians 1:6](/ephesians/1-6 "Ephesians 1:6 - Accepted in the Beloved")). Thus, what Job hoped for in his own vindication, we receive fully in Christ: the ultimate salvation and the ability to stand blameless before a holy God, not by our own merit, but by His perfect righteousness imputed to us.

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

Isaiah 12:1

¶ And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.

Psalms 118:21

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

Isaiah 33:14

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

Acts 13:47

For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Job 36:13

But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

Job 27:8

For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?