Job 35:13

KJV

Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Surely God {H410} will not hear {H8085} vanity {H7723}, neither will the Almighty {H7706} regard {H7789} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

For God will not listen to empty cries; Shaddai pays no attention to them.

Berean Standard Bible

Surely God does not listen to empty pleas, and the Almighty does not take note of it.

American Standard Version

Surely God will not hear an emptycry, Neither will the Almighty regard it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 35:13, a declaration from Elihu, asserts God's profound transcendence and perfect discernment, emphasizing that the Almighty will not lend an attentive ear or give serious consideration to human words, prayers, or laments that are empty, insincere, or rooted in futility and a challenging spirit. Elihu contends that God, in His absolute sovereignty and righteousness, is unaffected by human complaints that lack genuine faith, humility, or a proper understanding of His divine character, thus dismissing utterances devoid of spiritual substance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 35:13 is situated within Elihu's third discourse (Job 35:1-16), a crucial section where the youngest of Job's three counselors offers his perspective on divine justice and human suffering, aiming to provide a more refined theological explanation than his predecessors. Elihu positions himself as a spokesman for God, arguing that human righteousness does not enhance God's glory, nor does human wickedness diminish His essence, thereby highlighting God's absolute self-sufficiency and transcendence (see [Job 35:6-8](/job/35-6-8 "Job 35:6-8 - Elihu on God's transcendence")). He then pivots to assert that while God does hear the cries of the oppressed and those in genuine distress ([Job 35:9](/job/35-9 "Job 35:9 - God hears the cry of the oppressed")), He does not respond to complaints that are rooted in a challenging spirit, a lack of sincerity, or a failure to seek true understanding. This verse directly implies that Job's persistent laments, from Elihu's viewpoint, fall into the category of "vanity" because they question God's justice rather than humbly seeking His intervention or understanding.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job belongs to the wisdom literature genre of the Old Testament, reflecting ancient Near Eastern concerns about the nature of divine justice, the problem of human suffering, and the appropriate relationship between humanity and the divine. In this cultural milieu, prayer and sacrifice were central to religious practice, often understood as a means of communication with and even influencing deity. However, there was also a strong emphasis on the *sincerity* and *purity* of the worshiper's heart. The concept of *theodicy*—the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil—is a central, pervasive theme throughout the entire Book of Job. Elihu's arguments, while sometimes harsh in their delivery, reflect a prevailing theological perspective that God is inherently just and omniscient, and therefore, human suffering must be understood within the framework of divine wisdom, even if it remains inscrutable to human minds. The cultural understanding of "vanity" (empty words, idolatry, futility) was deeply ingrained, particularly in contrast to the absolute truth and substance of God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Book of Job and broader biblical theology. It underscores **Divine Transcendence and Impartiality**, highlighting God's exalted nature, which is beyond human manipulation or influence through insincere words. It emphasizes **God's Perfect Discernment**, asserting that He sees beyond outward expressions to the true intent and condition of the human heart, refusing to engage with that which is hollow or false. This leads directly to the theme of **The Nature of True Prayer**, suggesting that effective prayer is not merely a verbal exercise but requires sincerity, humility, and a right understanding of God's character and purposes. Elihu's perspective also touches upon **The Problem of Suffering** by implying that Job's continued suffering might be linked to his "vain" complaints, rather than a lack of divine attention to genuine distress, a point Elihu attempts to clarify in his broader discourse (e.g., [Job 35:9-12](/job/35-9-12 "Elihu on God hearing and not answering")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vanity (Hebrew, שָׁוְא, _shâvᵉʼ_):** This is a multifaceted and crucial term. According to H7723, it signifies "evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)." In Job 35:13, _shâvᵉʼ_ refers to words, prayers, or complaints that are hollow, insincere, uttered without genuine faith or reverence, or are based on a false premise (e.g., challenging God's justice without understanding). God will not engage with that which is devoid of truth or genuine intent.
* **Hear (Hebrew, שָׁמַע, _shâmaʻ_):** As per H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." More than merely perceiving sound, _shâmaʻ_ in this context implies attentive listening that leads to action, response, or consideration. When God "hears" in a positive sense, it means He is receptive, responsive, and often acts on behalf of the one crying out. Elihu's point is that God will not grant this kind of attentive, responsive hearing to "vanity."
* **Regard (Hebrew, שׁוּר, _shûwr_):** This primitive root (H7789) means "to spy out, i.e. (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for; behold, lay wait, look, observe, perceive, regard, see." It suggests a deeper level of cognitive engagement and consideration than simply "hearing." God will not only not listen responsively to vanity, but He will also not give it any serious consideration or discernment, because it is inherently worthless in His sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Surely God will not hear vanity":** This clause establishes Elihu's firm conviction regarding God's nature. God, being perfectly righteous and discerning, will not lend an attentive ear to words or prayers that are empty, insincere, false, or uttered without genuine faith or humility. This is not a statement about God's inability to hear sound, but His refusal to acknowledge or respond to that which lacks spiritual substance and truth.
* **"neither will the Almighty regard it":** This second clause reinforces and intensifies the first. The term "Almighty" (Shaddai) emphasizes God's supreme power and authority. Not only will God not "hear" (respond to) such utterances, but He will also not "regard" (give any consideration, attention, or understanding to) them. This highlights God's perfect discernment; He sees through superficiality and dismisses that which is hollow or challenges His inherent justice and wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Job 35:13 employs several effective literary devices to convey Elihu's message with force and clarity. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("neither will the Almighty regard it") reiterates and strengthens the meaning of the first ("Surely God will not hear vanity"). This repetition emphasizes the certainty and finality of God's non-response to insincere or futile words. There is also an element of **Personification**, as God is described with human-like actions of "hearing" and "regarding," though these are understood in a divine, perfect sense, underscoring His active discernment. Elihu's strong assertion, introduced by the emphatic "Surely," functions as a **Rhetorical Statement** designed to correct Job's perceived error and underscore God's unwavering and discerning character. The very concept of "vanity" itself can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where the abstract quality of emptiness or futility stands in for the words or actions that embody it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 35:13 profoundly speaks to the nature of divine-human communication and God's character. It underscores God's omniscience and His demand for sincerity in all interactions. Theologically, it asserts that God is not swayed by mere words or ritualistic performance, but by the heart's true condition and motive. This aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on inner truth over outward show, reminding us that God's justice is not arbitrary but perfectly discerning. He does not ignore genuine suffering or the cries of the oppressed, as Elihu himself notes in earlier verses, but He does not dignify complaints that are rooted in a challenge to His righteousness or are uttered without a spirit of humility and truth. This verse serves as a sober reminder that our approach to God must be marked by reverence and authenticity, recognizing His supreme holiness and wisdom.

* [Proverbs 15:29](/proverbs/15-29 "The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.")
* [Isaiah 1:15](/isaiah/1-15 "When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; yes, though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.")
* [James 4:3](/james/4-3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 35:13 challenges us to examine the sincerity and motive behind our prayers and complaints to God. It calls us beyond superficial religiosity to a deep, authentic relationship where our words truly reflect our hearts. In moments of suffering, confusion, or perceived injustice, it's natural to question or lament, but this verse reminds us that God discerns the spirit in which we approach Him. Are our laments cries of genuine desperation and trust, or are they veiled accusations against His character or demands from a place of self-righteousness? Are we seeking His wisdom and comfort, or are we attempting to manipulate Him or air grievances without humility? True prayer, as implied here, is not about coercing God or merely venting, but about aligning our hearts with His truth, even when understanding is elusive. This verse encourages us to cultivate a spirit of genuine faith, humility, and reverence, knowing that God responds to the sincere heart, not to empty words.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my prayer life reflect sincerity and humility before God, especially during times of trial and uncertainty?**
* **Am I genuinely seeking God's will and understanding, or am I merely airing grievances or making demands from a place of perceived self-righteousness?**
* **In what ways might my words or actions, even in prayer, be considered "vanity" in God's sight, lacking true faith or reverence?**
* **How can I cultivate a more authentic and humble spirit in all my interactions with the Almighty?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God never hears the prayers of the unrighteous or those in despair?**

Answer: This verse, spoken by Elihu, reflects his specific theological perspective within the context of Job's challenging laments. It asserts that God does not "hear" or "regard" *vanity*—meaning insincere, empty, or challenging complaints. It does not mean God is deaf to all prayers from those who are not perfectly righteous or those in genuine despair. The Bible consistently teaches that God hears the cries of the oppressed and the humble ([Psalm 34:17](/psalm/34-17 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them")), and even the desperate pleas of the unrighteous seeking repentance ([Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "God relented from disaster")). Elihu's point is that God will not validate or respond to prayers that are insincere, self-serving, or challenge His justice from a place of pride, as he perceived Job's complaints to be. There's a distinction between a cry of genuine anguish and a complaint rooted in challenging God's sovereignty.

**What is "vanity" in this context, and how does it relate to other biblical uses of the word?**

Answer: In Job 35:13, "vanity" (Hebrew: _shâvᵉʼ_) refers to words or prayers that are empty, futile, false, or insincere. It signifies a lack of genuine spiritual substance, humility, or reverence. This usage aligns with other biblical contexts where _shâvᵉʼ_ appears. For instance, it's famously used in the commandment against taking the Lord's name "in vain" ([Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Do not take the Lord's name in vain")), meaning to use it emptily, falsely, or irreverently. It also describes idols as "vain things" ([1 Samuel 12:21](/1_samuel/12-21 "Do not turn after vain things")) because they are powerless and without true reality. Therefore, in Job 35:13, "vanity" encompasses any utterance to God that is devoid of truth, sincerity, or proper reverence for His character and authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Elihu's words in Job 35:13 highlight God's discernment of insincere prayer, the New Testament, through Christ, offers the ultimate fulfillment and transformation of our approach to God. Jesus himself perfectly embodied sincere prayer, always aligning His will with the Father's, even in the most agonizing moments ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane")). He taught His disciples to pray with sincerity, not with "vain repetitions" like the Gentiles ([Matthew 6:7-8](/matthew/6-7 "Vain repetitions in prayer")), emphasizing the importance of a heart-to-heart connection with God as Father. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the barrier of sin that made human "vanity" unacceptable to a holy God has been removed. We now have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses and through whom we can "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Approach the throne of grace with confidence")). Our prayers, even when imperfect, are made acceptable not by our own merit or eloquence, but by the perfect intercession of the Holy Spirit who groans on our behalf ([Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26-27 "The Spirit intercedes for us")) and by the merits of Christ, who is "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). Thus, while God still does not "hear vanity," through Christ, our genuine, albeit flawed, cries are heard and regarded because they are offered through Him who is the perfect sacrifice and intercessor.

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

Proverbs 15:29

¶ The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Jeremiah 11:11

¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

James 4:3

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

Psalms 102:17

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

Hosea 7:14

And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, [and] they rebel against me.

Job 22:22

Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.