Job 13:6

KJV

Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085} now my reasoning {H8433}, and hearken {H7181} to the pleadings {H7379} of my lips {H8193}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Now listen to my reasoning, pay attention to how I present my dispute.

Berean Standard Bible

Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.

American Standard Version

Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 13:6 captures the intense frustration and profound yearning of a suffering man who desperately seeks an impartial audience for his defense. In this pivotal moment, Job implores his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—to set aside their preconceived theological frameworks and judgmental accusations, and instead, genuinely attend to his carefully reasoned arguments and heartfelt pleas. This verse encapsulates Job's demand for a fair hearing, not merely as a matter of personal vindication, but as a critical step toward understanding the true nature of his affliction and the integrity he maintains before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 13:6 appears within the second cycle of dialogue between Job and his three friends. Following their repeated assertions that his suffering must be a direct consequence of his sin (e.g., [Eliphaz's second speech](/job/15 "Job 15 - Eliphaz's Second Speech"), [Bildad's second speech](/job/18 "Job 18 - Bildad's Second Speech"), [Zophar's second speech](/job/20 "Job 20 - Zophar's Second Speech")), Job launches into a powerful counter-argument that spans chapters 12-14. Having endured their rigid and often unfeeling counsel, Job shifts from lamenting his fate to directly challenging his accusers. He dismisses their "proverbs of ashes" and "defenses of clay" ([Job 13:12](/job/13-12 "Job 13:12 - Job's Scorn for his Friends' Sayings")), asserting his desire to speak directly to God, even if it means his death ([Job 13:3](/job/13-3 "Job 13:3 - Job's Desire to Argue with God"), [Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him")). This verse, therefore, is a direct appeal to his friends to grant him the basic courtesy of listening before he turns his attention to his ultimate divine antagonist.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, legal disputes and public discourse often involved formal arguments and counter-arguments before an audience or judge. The concept of "pleading" (Hebrew _riv_) carried strong connotations of a legal case or contention. Friends and elders were expected to offer counsel, but also to listen and discern. Job's friends, adhering to a conventional retribution theology prevalent in their culture—that suffering is always a direct punishment for sin—were acting as self-appointed judges rather than empathetic comforters. Job's demand for a hearing reflects the cultural expectation of a fair process, even among peers, and highlights his desperate attempt to break through their rigid worldview. His plea for "reasoning" and "pleadings" is not merely emotional outburst but a structured demand for a just hearing within the social and intellectual norms of his time.
* **Key Themes:** Job 13:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it underscores the **misunderstanding and isolation** Job experiences, as his friends' inability to genuinely listen deepens his suffering. Their rigid adherence to a simplistic retribution theology prevents them from empathizing with Job's unique situation, where his suffering is not a direct result of his sin, challenging their conventional wisdom found in passages like [Proverbs 3:33](/proverbs/3-33 "Proverbs 3:33 - The Curse of the Lord is on the House of the Wicked"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **quest for justice and vindication**, as Job insists on his integrity before both his friends and ultimately God. He is not merely complaining; he is presenting a case, believing his "reasoning" to be sound and his "pleadings" to be legitimate. This theme is central to Job's struggle, as he grapples with the apparent injustice of his plight, echoing the cries of the righteous in other biblical texts, such as [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - The Lord Judges the Peoples"). Finally, it emphasizes the **power and responsibility of speech**, both in listening and in speaking. Job's demand for a hearing implicitly critiques his friends' loquacious but unhelpful speeches, contrasting their judgmental words with his own earnest desire to articulate his truth. This theme resonates with the broader biblical emphasis on the careful use of the tongue, as seen in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reasoning (Hebrew, _tôkaḥat'_):** This word, often translated as "rebuke," "correction," or "argument," carries a strong sense of logical presentation and reasoned discourse. In this context, it signifies Job's intention to present a coherent, well-thought-out case in his defense. It is not merely an emotional outburst but a demand for his friends to engage with the substance of his arguments, which he believes are designed to correct their flawed understanding of his situation and God's justice. The term implies a desire for intellectual and theological engagement, inviting his friends to consider an alternative perspective to their rigid dogma.
* **Pleadings (Hebrew, _rîḇ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to contend," "to dispute," or "to go to law," _rîḇ_ strongly evokes the imagery of a legal dispute or a court case. Job sees himself as being on trial, and his "pleadings" are his legal defense, his formal presentation of his side of the argument. This word choice underscores the gravity of the situation for Job; he is not just having a casual conversation but is engaged in a life-or-death struggle for his reputation and understanding of God, much like a defendant making his final appeal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear now my reasoning":** This opening imperative is a direct, urgent command from Job to his friends. "Hear now" (שִׁמְעוּ־נָ֣א, _shim‘û-nā’_) implies an immediate and attentive listening, a departure from their previous dismissive or judgmental posture. The emphasis is on the content—"my reasoning" (תּוֹכַחְתִּי, _tôkaḥtî_)—which Job believes is logical, valid, and deserving of serious consideration. He is demanding intellectual engagement with his perspective, challenging their fixed theological assumptions with his lived experience and counter-arguments.
* **"and hearken to the pleadings of my lips":** This second clause parallels and intensifies the first, reinforcing Job's demand for a full and respectful hearing. "Hearken" (הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ, _haqšîḇû_) is a stronger verb than "hear," implying not just passive reception but active, deliberate attention, leaning in to catch every word. "The pleadings of my lips" (רִיבֹ֖ת שְׂפָתָֽי, _rîḇōṯ śəp̄āṯāy_) refers to the arguments and defense that flow from his mouth, framed as a legal contention. This phrase emphasizes the verbal nature of his defense and his expectation that his friends will treat his words with the same gravity and respect as one would a formal legal argument.

#### Literary Devices
Job 13:6 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("hearken to the pleadings of my lips") reiterates and amplifies the meaning of the first half ("Hear now my reasoning"). This repetition serves to emphasize the urgency and depth of Job's demand for a fair hearing, reinforcing his desire for both intellectual and empathetic attention. The verse also utilizes **Legal Imagery**, as seen in the choice of words like "reasoning" (_tôkaḥat_) and "pleadings" (_rîḇ_), which evoke the setting of a courtroom or a formal dispute. This imagery underscores Job's perception of himself as being on trial and his desperate need to present his defense. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Rhetorical Appeal**, a direct and passionate address to his audience (his friends) to persuade them to change their behavior. It is an appeal for justice and a plea for understanding, demonstrating Job's shift from passive suffering to active engagement in his own defense.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 13:6 profoundly illuminates the theological tension between conventional wisdom and lived experience, a central theme in the book of Job. It challenges the simplistic notion that suffering is always a direct result of sin, forcing a deeper inquiry into the nature of divine justice and human integrity. Job's demand for a hearing is not merely a personal plea but a theological one, as he seeks to reconcile his blamelessness with his immense suffering. This verse also speaks to the broader biblical emphasis on the importance of genuine listening and compassionate engagement in theological discourse. It implies that true wisdom is not found in rigid adherence to dogma, but in the humility to listen to the voice of the suffering and to grapple with the complexities of God's ways. Job's plea for his "reasoning" and "pleadings" to be heard foreshadows the ultimate vindication of the righteous, even when misunderstood or condemned by human judgment.

* [Proverbs 18:13](/proverbs/18-13 "Proverbs 18:13 - He Who Answers Before He Hears")
* [James 1:19](/james/1-19 "James 1:19 - Be Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak")
* [Psalm 38:13-14](/psalms/38-13 "Psalm 38:13-14 - David's Silence Amidst Accusation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 13:6 serves as a powerful and timeless reminder of the profound human need to be heard and understood, especially in times of distress or when facing injustice. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of active, empathetic listening, moving beyond our preconceived notions and theological frameworks to truly engage with the experiences and perspectives of others. In a world often characterized by quick judgments and superficial interactions, Job's plea calls us to create spaces where individuals feel safe to articulate their "reasoning" and "pleadings" without fear of immediate condemnation or dismissal. It encourages us to approach difficult conversations with humility, recognizing that true wisdom often begins with genuinely hearing another's story, even when it challenges our own understanding of truth or justice. This verse compels us to consider how our words and our listening habits either build up or tear down, and to strive for communication that honors the dignity and integrity of every person.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to "hear" others without truly "hearkening" to their reasoning or pleadings?**
* **How might my own theological or personal frameworks prevent me from genuinely listening to someone who is suffering or expressing a challenging perspective?**
* **What steps can I take to create an environment where others feel safe to express their deepest concerns and arguments without fear of judgment?**
* **When I am the one seeking to be heard, what can I learn from Job's earnestness and persistence in articulating my truth?**

### FAQ
**Why were Job's friends so unwilling to listen to his reasoning?**

Answer: Job's friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, were deeply entrenched in a conventional retribution theology, which posited that all suffering was a direct consequence of sin. From their perspective, Job's immense suffering could only be explained by some great, hidden transgression on his part. This rigid theological framework blinded them to the possibility of blameless suffering and prevented them from truly listening to Job's fervent declarations of innocence. They were more concerned with defending their theological system and God's perceived justice (as they understood it) than with empathizing with Job's unique and inexplicable plight. Their unwillingness to listen stemmed from their certainty in their own wisdom, believing they already knew the answer to Job's suffering, thus rendering his "reasoning" irrelevant to their predetermined conclusions. This is evident in their repetitive arguments throughout the book, such as [Eliphaz's insistence on the fate of the wicked](/job/15-20 "Job 15:20 - The Wicked Man Writhers in Pain All His Days").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's impassioned plea in Job 13:6 for a fair hearing and vindication finds its ultimate echo and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Like Job, Jesus was profoundly misunderstood, accused, and condemned by those who claimed to speak for God, yet failed to recognize true righteousness. Jesus, the perfectly innocent one, faced the ultimate injustice, enduring the "pleadings" of false witnesses and the "reasoning" of those who sought his death ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")). Yet, unlike Job's friends, God the Father heard the "reasoning" and "pleadings" of His Son, not in the sense of a defense against sin, but as the perfect obedience that would accomplish salvation. The cross, though appearing as the ultimate condemnation, was in fact God's vindication of His suffering Servant, demonstrating that His justice is deeper and more complex than human retribution theology can grasp ([Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). Furthermore, Christ Himself embodies the perfect listener, always attentive to the cries of the suffering and the "pleadings" of the brokenhearted ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Labor")). In His own suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus not only received the ultimate vindication but also secured the ultimate hearing and justification for all who trust in Him, offering a righteousness not based on human "reasoning" or "pleadings" but on His perfect sacrifice ([Romans 5:18](/romans/5-18 "Romans 5:18 - Justification Through One Act of Righteousness")).

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 21:2

Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

Job 21:3

Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

Job 34:2

Hear my words, O ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

Proverbs 8:6

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.

Proverbs 8:7

For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.

Job 33:1

¶ Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Job 33:3

My words [shall be of] the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.