Job 13:22

KJV

Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then call {H7121} thou, and I will answer {H6030}: or let me speak {H1696}, and answer {H7725} thou me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, if you call, I will answer. Or let me speak, and you, answer me!

Berean Standard Bible

Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.

American Standard Version

Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 13:22 encapsulates Job's profound anguish and unwavering resolve as he confronts the perceived divine adversary, demanding a direct, unmediated engagement. This verse serves as a pivotal moment in Job's discourse, where he issues a bold challenge for a legal-like dialogue, seeking clarity, vindication, and a direct explanation for his inexplicable suffering from God Himself. It highlights his desperate longing for a fair hearing and a resolution to the cosmic injustice he feels.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 13 is situated within the third cycle of speeches between Job and his three friends, though Zophar does not speak in this cycle. Job, having dismissed his friends' conventional wisdom as "worthless physicians" and "forgers of lies" ([Job 13:4](/job/13-4 "Job 13:4 - Job's Rebuke of His Friends")), turns his attention directly to God. He acknowledges God's immense power and sovereignty ([Job 12:13-25](/job/12 "Job 12 - God's Unchallengeable Power")), yet he perceives God as his oppressor. This verse is part of Job's passionate plea for a direct, unhindered encounter with the Almighty, bypassing the flawed interpretations and accusations of his human companions. He desires to present his case, confident in his innocence, even if it means facing divine wrath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near Eastern world, including Israel, understood suffering primarily through the lens of retribution theology: good deeds were rewarded, and sin led to punishment. Job's friends operate entirely within this framework, assuming his suffering must be a consequence of hidden sin. Job, however, vehemently denies this premise, challenging the prevailing theological paradigm. His demand for a direct hearing reflects ancient legal practices, where an accused person could directly confront their accuser or judge. The concept of a divine court or judgment was also prevalent, and Job seeks to bring his case before the ultimate Judge, yearning for a just verdict rather than continued, unexplained affliction.
* **Key Themes:** Job 13:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Foremost is the **Problem of Suffering and Justice**, particularly the suffering of the righteous. Job's unwavering conviction of his own innocence in the face of immense pain drives his demand for an explanation from God, challenging the neat equation of sin and suffering. Relatedly, the theme of **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Integrity** is central; Job acknowledges God's absolute power but refuses to compromise his integrity or admit guilt he does not possess. His **Desire for Direct Divine Dialogue** underscores a deep human longing for unmediated answers from God in times of crisis, a yearning also seen in [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - A Psalm of Lament") or [Job 23:3](/job/23-3 "Job 23:3 - Job's Longing to Find God's Seat"). Finally, the verse highlights the **Inadequacy of Human Wisdom** in addressing profound theological questions, as Job dismisses his friends' counsel in favor of a direct appeal to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Call (Hebrew, קָרָא _qara'_):** This verb signifies to "call out," "proclaim," "summon," or "read." In a legal context, it implies a formal summons or an invitation to present a case. Job is challenging God to initiate the legal proceedings, to present His charges, implying Job is ready to respond. It's a bold invitation for divine interrogation.
* **Answer (Hebrew, עָנָה _anah_):** Meaning "to answer," "respond," "testify," or "give an account." This word emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the desired dialogue. Whether God calls or Job speaks, the expectation is a direct and definitive response, not silence or evasion. It speaks to Job's desperate need for clarity and resolution.
* **Speak (Hebrew, דַּבֵּר _dabber_):** This verb means "to speak," "declare," or "converse." It denotes a more active, initiating role in the dialogue, distinct from merely answering. Job offers God the choice: either God speaks first and Job answers, or Job speaks first and God answers. This highlights Job's readiness to take the initiative in presenting his case if God prefers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then call thou, and I will answer":** This clause presents the first option in Job's challenge. Job invites God to take the role of the interrogator or prosecutor. He is ready to stand before God and respond to any charges or questions God might have against him. This demonstrates Job's profound confidence in his own innocence and his readiness to defend himself directly before the divine court. He is not hiding from God but actively seeking a confrontation.
* **"or let me speak, and answer thou me."**: This clause offers the alternative. If God chooses not to initiate, Job is prepared to take the offensive. He will present his case, his questions, and his grievances, and he demands that God, in turn, provide a direct answer. This underscores Job's desperate need for an explanation for his suffering and his conviction that he has a valid case to present, even against the Almighty. It's a plea for true, two-way communication, not just a monologue from God.

#### Literary Devices
Job 13:22 masterfully employs several literary techniques to convey Job's bold and desperate challenge. The most prominent is **Chiasmus**, an ABBA structure: "call thou (A), and I will answer (B): or let me speak (B'), and answer thou me (A')." This inverted parallelism emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the desired dialogue and Job's willingness to engage from either position (accused or accuser). The verse also utilizes **Legal Metaphor**, framing the interaction as a courtroom proceeding where Job demands a fair hearing. His words are not merely a lament but a formal challenge, a plea for judicial process. Furthermore, the verse contains an implicit **Rhetorical Question** or challenge, daring God to engage on Job's terms, highlighting Job's audacious faith and desperation. The **Antithesis** between "call thou" and "let me speak" further underscores the two mutually exclusive, yet equally desired, scenarios for direct divine interaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 13:22 stands as a powerful testament to the human desire for divine accountability and understanding in the face of inexplicable suffering. It highlights the tension between God's absolute sovereignty and the human experience of injustice, prompting profound questions about the nature of divine justice and wisdom. Job's bold demand for a direct answer reflects a deep-seated need for meaning and vindication, acknowledging God's power while challenging His perceived actions. This verse underscores that honest lament and even direct questioning of God are part of a genuine faith journey, demonstrating that God is robust enough to handle our deepest doubts and angers.

* [Job 23:3](/job/23-3 "Job 23:3 - Job's Longing for God's Presence")
* [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind")
* [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - A Psalm of Lament")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 13:22 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating seasons of confusion, pain, or perceived injustice. It validates the human impulse to bring our rawest emotions, deepest questions, and even our challenges directly before God. Job's boldness reminds us that authentic faith does not always mean quiet submission, but can include wrestling, questioning, and demanding answers from the Almighty. This verse encourages us to persist in prayer and seeking God, even when His presence feels distant or His actions inexplicable. It teaches us that God is not intimidated by our honest lament or our struggle to reconcile His character with our circumstances. While God may not answer immediately, or in the way we expect, Job's story ultimately reveals that He does eventually respond, often in ways that transcend our limited understanding, inviting us into a deeper trust in His ultimate justice and goodness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you struggling to reconcile God's character with your circumstances?**
* **What questions or challenges are you afraid to bring before God? How might Job 13:22 encourage you to be more honest in your prayers?**
* **How does Job's persistence in seeking a direct encounter with God inspire your own prayer life, especially when answers are slow in coming?**

### FAQ
**Is it permissible to challenge God or demand answers from Him, as Job does?**

Answer: Job 13:22, along with many psalms of lament (e.g., [Psalm 44:23-24](/psalms/44-23 "Psalm 44:23-24 - Why Do You Sleep, O Lord?")), demonstrates that it is indeed permissible and, at times, a deeply authentic expression of faith to bring our rawest questions, doubts, and even challenges before God. The Bible portrays a God who is robust enough to handle our honest wrestling. Job's "challenge" is not an act of rebellious defiance but a desperate plea for justice and understanding from a God he believes is just. It stems from a profound faith that God is ultimately good and will eventually provide answers, even if they are not what he expects. This contrasts with a cynical or unbelieving challenge, instead highlighting a persistent, if anguished, trust in God's character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's desperate plea for a direct encounter and an arbiter ([Job 9:33](/job/9-33 "Job 9:33 - Job's Need for an Umpire")) who could stand between him and God finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Job longed for a mediator who could bridge the infinite gap between humanity and the Holy One, someone who could truly represent both sides in a divine legal proceeding. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the perfect fulfillment of this longing: He is "the one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus" ([1_timothy/2-5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ, the One Mediator")). Christ, being both fully God and fully man, uniquely qualifies to represent humanity before God as our great High Priest ([hebrews/4-14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus Our Great High Priest")) and to reveal God to humanity. Unlike Job's demand for a legal challenge, Christ's work on the cross provides the gracious answer to the problem of suffering and sin, offering vindication and reconciliation not through a courtroom battle but through His atoning sacrifice. In Christ, we have direct access to God's throne of grace ([hebrews/4-16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")) and the ultimate answer to the question of innocent suffering, as He, the innocent Lamb of God ([john/1-29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), suffered for the sins of the world, allowing us to approach God not with a challenge, but with confidence and peace.

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

Job 14:15

Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

Job 38:3

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Job 40:4

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Job 40:5

Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

Job 9:16

If I had called, and he had answered me; [yet] would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

Job 9:32

For [he is] not a man, as I [am, that] I should answer him, [and] we should come together in judgment.

Job 42:3

Who [is] he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.