Job 13:20

KJV

Only do not two [things] unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Only do {H6213} not two {H8147} things unto me: then will I not hide {H5641} myself from thee {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Only grant two things to me, God; then I won't hide myself from your face -

Berean Standard Bible

Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:

American Standard Version

Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 13:20 encapsulates a profound moment in Job's dialogue with God, where the suffering patriarch, having endured immense personal tragedy and the relentless theological accusations of his friends, boldly presents two crucial conditions for a direct, unhindered encounter with the Almighty. This verse reveals Job's unwavering integrity, his desperate yearning for clarity and vindication in the face of inexplicable suffering, and his readiness to engage with God without fear or evasion, provided he is not overwhelmed by divine power or accused unjustly. It marks a pivotal shift from debating his human companions to directly petitioning the Divine Judge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 13:20 is situated within Job's third major discourse (chapters 12-14), specifically as he transitions from refuting his friends' conventional wisdom—which he dismisses as "physicians of no value" ([Job 13:4](/job/13-4 "Job 13:4 - Job's Scorn for His Friends"))—to directly addressing God. Having asserted his desire to plead his case before the Almighty, even if it means God slays him ([Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Though He Slay Me")), this verse serves as a direct, emphatic prelude to the specific requests articulated in [Job 13:21](/job/13-21 "Job 13:21 - Job's Two Requests to God"). It underscores Job's profound conviction in his own righteousness and his desperate need for divine explanation, marking a significant escalation in his spiritual struggle from lament to direct petition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a region likely east of Edom, reflecting a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic cultural milieu. In this ancient Near Eastern context, suffering was commonly (though erroneously) understood as a direct consequence of sin, a theological framework vigorously upheld by Job's friends. The concept of a divine court or a legal dispute before a deity was not alien to the ancient world; however, a mortal directly challenging God's actions and demanding specific conditions for an encounter was extraordinarily audacious. Job's desire for a "hearing" mirrors the legal customs of the time, where an accused person would present their defense before a judge. His fear of being overwhelmed by divine majesty is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern perceptions of the divine, where encounters with God were often depicted as terrifying and potentially fatal ([Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See God and Live")). Job's plea for specific conditions highlights his human vulnerability in the face of infinite power, yet also his profound trust in God's ultimate justice.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **divine justice and human suffering**, as Job grapples with the perplexing disconnect between his blameless life and his immense pain, challenging the simplistic retribution theology of his friends. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **boldness in prayer and direct access to God**, demonstrating that genuine faith can include audacious questioning and direct petition, even when seeking understanding or vindication from the Almighty. Job's willingness to "not hide himself" speaks to a profound desire for **transparency and integrity** before God, a central aspect of his character throughout the narrative. Furthermore, this verse sets the stage for the ultimate **divine revelation** that Job desperately seeks, foreshadowing God's eventual appearance and direct response from the whirlwind, which begins in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - The Lord Answers Job from the Whirlwind").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **do (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root is remarkably broad in its application, meaning "to do or make" in the widest sense. In this context, it refers to the actions or conditions Job requests God to refrain from. Job is essentially saying, "Do not perform these two actions against me." The breadth of this verb underscores the comprehensive nature of Job's plea—he wants God to cease any action that would hinder a fair and open dialogue.
* **two (Hebrew, _shᵉnayim'_):** This word is the dual form meaning "two." Its explicit mention here emphasizes the precise and limited nature of Job's conditions. He is not making a general complaint but specifying two distinct, crucial prerequisites for his unhindered engagement with God. This precision highlights Job's rational and deliberate approach to his desperate situation, even in the midst of profound suffering.
* **hide (Hebrew, _çâthar'_):** This primitive root means "to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively," or "to conceal oneself." In Job's declaration, "then will I not hide myself from thee," it signifies his desire to avoid retreating, shrinking back in fear, or being overwhelmed into silence by God's presence. His promise indicates a readiness to stand firm, openly present his case, and engage in a fearless, transparent dialogue, provided God meets his two conditions. It implies a yearning for an unhindered encounter, free from the terror of annihilation or unjust condemnation.
* **thee (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** While translated as "thee" (referring to God), the Hebrew word _pânîym_ literally means "face" or "presence." Its use here emphasizes the direct, personal nature of the encounter Job seeks. He desires to stand before God's very presence, unmasked and unafraid, to present his case. This highlights the profound intimacy and audacity of Job's faith, as he yearns for a face-to-face confrontation with the Almighty, rather than merely a distant acknowledgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Only do not two [things] unto me:"** This opening clause is a direct, emphatic plea to God, setting the stage for the two specific conditions Job will articulate in the subsequent verse ([Job 13:21](/job/13-21 "Job 13:21 - Job's Two Requests to God")). The KJV's interpretive addition of "[things]" accurately captures the implied meaning of the Hebrew "two" (שְׁתַּיִם, _shtayim_), referring to two distinct actions or circumstances that Job requests God to refrain from. This demonstrates Job's remarkable boldness and his attempt to establish terms for an equitable encounter with the Almighty, not out of defiance, but out of a desperate need for a fair hearing.
* **"then will I not hide myself from thee."** This is Job's solemn promise and the consequence of God granting his two conditions. The phrase "hide myself" signifies Job's readiness to stand openly, without fear, evasion, or shame, and present his case directly to God. It implies a desire for full transparency and an unhindered dialogue, free from the overwhelming terror of divine majesty that might otherwise silence or obliterate him. Job's integrity is such that he believes that if the playing field is leveled, he has nothing to conceal from God. The use of "from thee" (literally "from your face/presence") underscores his desire for a direct, unmediated encounter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Apostrophe**, as Job directly addresses God, who is absent from the immediate human dialogue but ever-present in Job's consciousness. This direct address underscores the intensely personal and confrontational nature of Job's plea, bypassing his friends to speak directly to the source of his suffering. The use of a **Conditional Clause** ("Only do not two things... then will I not hide myself") establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting Job's attempt to set terms for an encounter with the divine. This structure emphasizes Job's agency and his desperate, yet rational, approach to his suffering. Furthermore, the phrase "hide myself" serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for evasion, fear, or spiritual retreat, contrasting sharply with Job's desired state of bold, open, and unhindered engagement with the Almighty. The implied **Antithesis** is between hiding (due to fear or guilt) and standing openly (due to innocence and courage).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 13:20 profoundly illustrates the human yearning for direct, unmediated access to God, especially in times of profound suffering and confusion. It challenges the simplistic theological framework that equates suffering with sin, demonstrating Job's unwavering conviction in his own righteousness and his insistence on a personal hearing with the Divine. This verse highlights the audacious faith that dares to present conditions to God, not out of rebellion, but out of a desperate need for justice and understanding. It underscores the biblical theme of God's accessibility, even to those who wrestle deeply with His providence, and the profound value of honest, unvarnished prayer that lays bare the soul before its Creator. Job's plea is a testament to the fact that authentic faith can grapple with divine mystery without collapsing into despair or resentment.

* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Boldly Approach the Throne of Grace")
* [Psalm 62:8](/psalms/62-8 "Psalm 62:8 - Pour Out Your Heart Before Him")
* [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Jeremiah's Complaint to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 13:20 offers a powerful and liberating model for believers navigating seasons of inexplicable pain, confusion, or perceived injustice. It dismantles the misconception that our prayers must always be perfectly composed, polite, or devoid of honest struggle. Job, in his raw anguish, dares to present conditions to God, not out of defiance, but out of a deep-seated desire for a fair hearing and a clear understanding. This verse invites us to bring our whole selves—our doubts, our frustrations, our questions, and our desperate longing for clarity—before the Almighty. It reminds us that God is big enough to handle our most challenging inquiries and our most profound laments. Our willingness to "not hide ourselves" from God, to lay bare our hearts without pretense, is an act of profound trust and an invitation for deeper intimacy, even when His answers are not immediately apparent or His ways remain mysterious. It teaches us that authentic faith embraces both reverence and raw honesty in the divine encounter.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "two things" might you ask God to do or not do in your current season of struggle, so that you might fully engage with Him without fear or pretense?**
* **In what ways might you be "hiding" yourself from God—perhaps through unspoken doubts, unconfessed sin, or fear of His presence—and what might it look like to approach Him with greater transparency and boldness?**
* **How does Job's example encourage you to be more honest and direct in your prayers, even when you feel confused, angry, or deeply disappointed with God's providence?**

### FAQ
**Why does Job feel the need to set "conditions" for God? Is this not disrespectful?**

Answer: Job's setting of "conditions" in [Job 13:20](/job/13-20 "Job 13:20 - Job's Conditions to God") is not an act of disrespect or defiance, but rather a desperate plea for a fair and unhindered hearing. Given God's infinite power and majesty, Job fears being overwhelmed or silenced before he can present his case. The "two things" he refers to (articulated in [Job 13:21](/job/13-21 "Job 13:21 - Job's Two Requests to God")) are essentially requests for God to remove His hand of affliction and not to terrify him with His dread. Job desires a level playing field, where he can speak freely and defend his integrity without being crushed by divine might. This boldness stems from his deep conviction of his own innocence and his profound trust in God's ultimate justice, believing that if given a fair chance, God will vindicate him. It highlights a remarkable intimacy and honesty in Job's relationship with God, where he feels able to voice his deepest fears and desires without pretense, seeking not to control God, but to engage Him justly.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's yearning in [Job 13:20](/job/13-20 "Job 13:20 - Job's Conditions to God") for a direct, unhindered encounter with God, free from fear and the need to hide, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Job desperately sought conditions for a fair hearing, fearing divine wrath and overwhelming power, Christ is the One who, through His perfect life and atoning death, removes all such barriers. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thereby reconciling humanity to God and making true fellowship possible. He is our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), who sympathizes with our weaknesses and through whom we can now [approach the throne of grace with confidence](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Boldly Approach the Throne of Grace"), not hiding ourselves, but fully revealed and accepted. In Christ, the terrifying encounter Job anticipated is transformed into an invitation to intimate fellowship. The "two things" Job requested are rendered unnecessary, as Christ has already borne the divine wrath and removed the terror of God's presence for those who believe, allowing us to draw near without fear, knowing we are fully seen, fully heard, and fully loved in Him, our [Advocate with the Father](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Christ the Righteous").

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

Psalms 139:12

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee].

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:10

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself.

Revelation 6:15

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Job 9:34

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

Job 9:35

[Then] would I speak, and not fear him; but [it is] not so with me.