Job 13:20

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Job 13:20 is a poignant moment in the book of Job, where the suffering patriarch directly addresses God, articulating his conditions for a direct encounter. After enduring immense loss and the misguided counsel of his friends, Job yearns for a personal hearing with the Almighty to present his case and defend his integrity.

Context of Job 13:20

This verse comes amidst Job's impassioned discourse (chapters 12-14) where he challenges the traditional wisdom of his friends, who insist his suffering must be due to sin. Job maintains his innocence and expresses a profound desire to plead his case before God directly, without intermediaries. His plea in verse 20 sets the stage for the specific requests he makes in Job 13:21, revealing his deep anguish but also a remarkable boldness in addressing the Creator.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Desire for a Direct Encounter: Job's primary longing is for an unhindered, personal meeting with God. He doesn't want to hide or shrink back, but to stand firm and articulate his position. This speaks to a fundamental human yearning for transparency and direct communication with the divine, especially in times of crisis.
  • Setting Conditions for Engagement: It is striking that Job, a mere mortal, dares to lay down "two things" as conditions for God to meet. This isn't defiance, but rather a desperate cry for a fair hearing, free from overwhelming divine power that might silence him. It highlights the raw honesty and profound trust Job still holds, believing God is just enough to consider his plea.
  • A Plea for Justice and Clarity: Job wants to understand the reason for his suffering and to clear his name. His promise, "then will I not hide myself from thee," signifies his readiness to fully engage and reveal his heart, provided he feels he can truly be heard and not annihilated by God's majesty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "do not two [things] unto me" in the KJV reflects the Hebrew, which simply states "two" (shtayim), with "things" being an interpretive addition for clarity. The essence is that Job has two specific requests or stipulations. His promise, "then will I not hide myself from thee," conveys a commitment to full openness and fearless engagement if his conditions are met. The Hebrew verb for "hide" (sāthar) implies a retreat or concealment, indicating Job's desire to stand openly and present his case without fear or evasion.

Practical Application

Job 13:20 offers powerful insights for believers today facing trials. It reminds us that even in our deepest suffering and confusion, we can approach God directly with our questions, fears, and even our conditions. God is big enough to handle our raw honesty and our pleas for justice. Job's example encourages us to seek a genuine encounter with God, to lay out our heart before Him, and to trust that He hears us, even when His ways are mysterious. This verse underscores the privilege of approaching God's throne with boldness, not hiding our true feelings or struggles.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 139:12 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Job 9:35 (2 votes)

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