Job 36:13

KJV

But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the hypocrites {H2611} in heart {H3820} heap up {H7760} wrath {H639}: they cry {H7768} not when he bindeth {H631} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

The godless in heart cherish their anger, not crying for help when he binds them.

Berean Standard Bible

The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when He binds them, they do not cry for help.

American Standard Version

But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 36:13, delivered by Elihu, presents a stark indictment of individuals whose spiritual insincerity prevents them from genuinely responding to God's disciplinary hand. The verse vividly portrays those whose inner disposition is marked by profound impiety, leading them to actively accumulate divine judgment rather than seeking repentance. Even when God's corrective actions bring them into distress or "bind" them, they stubbornly refuse to acknowledge His work or cry out for mercy, thereby intensifying their own plight through a hardened and unyielding heart.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 36:13 is situated within Elihu's extensive and climactic discourse, spanning from [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's Initial Speeches") through [Job 37](/job/37 "Job 37 - Elihu's Concluding Remarks on God's Power"). Elihu, the youngest and previously silent participant, interjects with a firm conviction that he possesses a superior understanding of God's ways compared to Job and the three older friends. His speeches consistently emphasize God's omnipotence, unblemished justice, and absolute sovereignty, often presenting suffering not merely as punitive for specific sins, but as a divinely appointed means of instruction, purification, and correction. In [Job 36](/job/36 "Job 36 - Elihu Extols God's Greatness and Justice"), Elihu specifically highlights God's immense power and righteousness, asserting that God does not despise the pure in heart. He contrasts God's attentive care for the righteous with the inevitable fate of the wicked and, crucially, the "hypocrites in heart" who adamantly resist divine instruction, thereby setting the theological and narrative stage for the severe warning articulated in verse 13.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job, a profound work of wisdom literature, reflects ancient Near Eastern perspectives on the complex issues of suffering, divine justice, and the intricate relationship between humanity and God. In this cultural milieu, affliction was frequently, though often simplistically, linked directly to sin, a view that Job's narrative meticulously challenges. The concept of "binding" (as in "when he bindeth them") would have resonated deeply with experiences of physical restraint, imprisonment, or severe hardship, which were commonly understood as a form of divine discipline or a direct consequence of moral transgression. The "hypocrite" (Hebrew *chaneph*) was not merely someone who engaged in outward pretense, but one whose inner being was fundamentally corrupt, profane, or godless – a profound spiritual state of alienation from God rather than just a social facade. This deep-seated impiety was perceived as a grave affront to the divine order, inevitably inviting severe repercussions. The vivid imagery of "heaping up wrath" would have been understood as accumulating a debt of divine judgment, akin to storing up a treasure, but in this case, a treasure of impending divine displeasure and righteous indignation.
* **Key Themes:** Job 36:13 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book and Elihu's specific discourse. A primary theme is the **nature of true piety versus hypocrisy**. Elihu meticulously distinguishes between those who genuinely seek God with a sincere heart and those whose inner disposition is fundamentally insincere or perverse, underscoring that God discerns the true state of the heart. Another crucial theme is **divine discipline and its redemptive purpose**. Elihu posits that God's actions, even those that bring hardship or "binding," are often intended for instruction, correction, and an opportunity for repentance, as seen in his earlier statements about God speaking to people through dreams and chastisement in [Job 33:14-18](/job/33-14-18 "Job 33:14-18 - God Speaks to Man in Various Ways"). The verse also powerfully underscores the theme of **consequences for unrepentance**. The stubborn refusal to acknowledge God's hand or to cry out for mercy, even under duress, leads not to relief but to an intensification of divine displeasure, culminating in the "heaping up of wrath." This highlights the critical importance of a humble, responsive, and teachable heart in the face of God's dealings, standing in stark contrast to Job's friends' initial accusations that Job's suffering was solely due to hidden sin and Job's own cries for vindication. Elihu emphasizes that God's ways are just, and the wicked, especially the hypocritical, will face the consequences of their choices, as he states in [Job 34:10-12](/job/34-10-12 "Job 34:10-12 - God Does No Wrong").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hypocrites (Hebrew, _chânêph'_):** From H2611, this term is far more profound than merely "pretenders" or those who put on a false show. It denotes someone who is "soiled (i.e. with sin)," "impious," or "profane." It describes an individual whose heart and inner being are fundamentally corrupt, perverse, or alienated from God, indicating a deep-seated spiritual defilement rather than just a superficial social facade.
* **Heap up (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** From H7760, meaning "to put," "to lay," or "to appoint." In this context, combined with "wrath," it vividly portrays the active accumulation or storing up of something. Their actions, attitudes, and persistent unrepentance are directly contributing to and storing up God's righteous indignation against them, much like one might store up treasure, but in this case, a treasure of impending doom and judgment.
* **Cry (Hebrew, _shâvaʻ'_):** From H7768, meaning "to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)," or "to cry (aloud, out), shout." This signifies a deliberate and stubborn refusal to appeal to God, to lament, or to seek His mercy and intervention, even when under severe duress or "bound" by affliction. It reveals an unyielding spirit, a pride that prevents them from acknowledging God's hand or seeking deliverance through humility and repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the hypocrites in heart":** This opening clause immediately establishes the subject, focusing on the internal condition and disposition of these individuals. It distinguishes those whose inner being is marked by spiritual insincerity, impiety, or fundamental godlessness. It emphasizes that God's concern is not merely with outward actions but with the genuine alignment of the heart with His ways.
* **"heap up wrath":** This phrase describes the active and inevitable consequence of their inner state and unrepentant actions. By persisting in their godlessness, resisting divine discipline, and refusing to turn from their ways, they are not merely incurring wrath, but are actively accumulating or storing up God's righteous judgment for themselves, ensuring a severe and just reckoning for their defiance.
* **"they cry not when he bindeth them":** This final clause powerfully illustrates their profound stubbornness, unyielding pride, and spiritual insensitivity. Even when God brings affliction, discipline, or constraint ("bindeth them") upon them, they refuse to acknowledge His hand, to lament their condition, or to seek His mercy and intervention. Their hardened hearts prevent them from turning to God in humility, thereby intensifying their own suffering and sealing their fate through their unrepentant silence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 36:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Contrast** is implicitly present, setting the "hypocrites in heart" apart from those who genuinely seek God or respond to His discipline with humility and repentance, a recurring theme in wisdom literature. The phrase "heap up wrath" functions as a powerful **metaphor**, likening the accumulation of divine judgment to the physical act of piling up objects. This vivid imagery emphasizes the self-inflicted nature of their impending doom, as their own actions and unrepentant attitudes directly contribute to their spiritual debt. Similarly, "when he bindeth them" serves as another compelling **metaphor** for divine discipline, affliction, or constraint, portraying God's corrective hand as a binding force that restricts and humbles. The **parallelism** between "heap up wrath" and "cry not when he bindeth them" highlights the cause-and-effect relationship: their unrepentant nature leads to the accumulation of judgment, and their refusal to seek God perpetuates and intensifies their plight. The verse's concise and direct language also contributes to its **forcefulness**, delivering a stark warning without embellishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 36:13 profoundly underscores the biblical emphasis on the condition of the heart as the root of one's spiritual state and ultimate destiny. It reveals God's unwavering justice, where persistent spiritual insincerity and stubborn resistance to divine discipline inevitably lead to the accumulation of judgment. This verse serves as a stark warning against a hardened heart that refuses to acknowledge God's hand in affliction or to seek His mercy, highlighting that true wisdom lies in humble responsiveness to God's corrective dealings rather than defiant stubbornness. It speaks to the active role human choices play in incurring divine wrath, not as arbitrary punishment, but as a just and righteous consequence of unrepentant impiety. The verse aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God desires repentance and life, but those who refuse will face the consequences of their rebellion.

* [Romans 2:5](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - Treasuring up Wrath")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [Jeremiah 5:3](/jeremiah/5-3 "Jeremiah 5:3 - Hardened Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 36:13 serves as a sobering mirror, inviting us to deeply examine the true condition of our own hearts before God. It challenges the superficiality of outward religiosity, reminding us that God sees beyond mere appearances to the genuine orientation of our inner being. The "binding" experiences in our lives—the trials, difficulties, moments of divine discipline, or even profound limitations—are not always punitive. Rather, they are often divinely appointed opportunities for growth, refinement, and a deeper, more authentic turning towards God. To "heap up wrath" is to stubbornly resist these divine invitations, to harden our hearts against the very processes intended for our good and spiritual maturity. True spiritual maturity and wisdom involve the humility to acknowledge God's hand in all circumstances, to lament our failings, and to cry out to Him for mercy, guidance, and deliverance, rather than stubbornly clinging to our own prideful ways. This verse calls us to cultivate a tender, responsive, and teachable heart, ever open to God's Spirit and His corrective work, ensuring that we do not, through pride or spiritual insincerity, accumulate judgment for ourselves but rather draw closer to His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be subtly exhibiting "hypocrisy in heart" in my walk with God, prioritizing outward appearance or reputation over genuine inner transformation and devotion?**
* **How do I typically respond when God "binds" me through difficult circumstances, personal limitations, or direct discipline? Do I cry out to Him in humility and seek His wisdom, or do I resist, complain, or harden my heart?**
* **What specific areas of my life might be "heaping up wrath" due to unconfessed sin, unrepentant attitudes, or a persistent refusal to obey God's known will?**
* **How can I cultivate a more authentic, transparent, and responsive heart towards God, embracing His discipline and correction as a pathway to deeper intimacy, righteousness, and spiritual freedom?**

### FAQ
**What does "hypocrites in heart" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Job 36:13, "hypocrites in heart" (Hebrew: *chânêph*) refers to individuals whose inner disposition is not genuinely devoted to God, but is rather characterized by impiety, godlessness, or moral corruption. It's not merely about outward pretense or a social facade, but a deep-seated spiritual insincerity where the heart is fundamentally estranged from God, despite any external religious observances they might maintain. Elihu emphasizes that God looks beyond external actions to the true state of one's inner being, as seen in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart").

**How do these "hypocrites" "heap up wrath" for themselves?**

Answer: They "heap up wrath" by persistently resisting God's ways, ignoring His discipline, and refusing to repent. Their actions, attitudes, and unyielding spirit in the face of divine correction actively accumulate God's righteous judgment against them. This concept is powerfully echoed in other biblical texts, such as [Romans 2:5](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - God's Righteous Judgment"), which speaks of treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath through a hardened and unrepentant heart. Their own choices and continued rebellion contribute directly to their impending condemnation, demonstrating that God's judgment is just and a consequence of human defiance.

**What is the significance of "they cry not when he bindeth them"?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the profound stubbornness, unyielding pride, and spiritual insensitivity of the "hypocrites in heart." Even when God brings affliction, discipline, or constraint ("bindeth them") upon them, they refuse to acknowledge His hand, to lament their situation, or to seek His mercy and intervention. Instead of turning to God in humility and repentance, they resist His corrective work, thereby intensifying their plight and demonstrating a hardened heart that refuses to yield to divine authority or seek deliverance. Their silence in the face of divine discipline is a clear sign of their unrepentant and defiant spirit, a stark contrast to the Psalmist's cry for help in [Psalm 119:153](/psalm/119-153 "Psalm 119:153 - Look on My Affliction and Deliver Me").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 36:13, with its stern warning against the "hypocrites in heart" who "heap up wrath" by refusing to "cry not when he bindeth them," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus, the ultimate revelation of God's character and the perfect embodiment of true piety, consistently exposed and condemned hypocrisy, particularly among the religious leaders of His day. He denounced those who honored God with their lips but whose hearts were far from Him ([Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Honor with Lips, Heart Far Away")), contrasting their outward show with the genuine inner transformation He sought. Unlike the hypocrites who accumulate wrath through their defiance, Jesus, in His perfect obedience, absorbed the full wrath of God for sin on the cross, becoming the ultimate propitiation for a fallen humanity ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood") and [1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - He Is the Propitiation for Our Sins")). Furthermore, while the hypocrites refuse to cry out when bound by affliction, Jesus, in His agony on the cross, cried out to the Father ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")), demonstrating perfect submission, trust, and dependence even in the face of divine abandonment for our sake. His life and ministry call all people to genuine repentance and a heart truly devoted to God, not outward pretense ([Luke 13:3](/luke/13-3 "Luke 13:3 - Call to Repentance")). Through faith in Him, we are freed from the judgment of accumulated wrath and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to respond to God's discipline with humility and a repentant heart, transforming us from those who "heap up wrath" to those who receive grace, forgiveness, and eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). He is the one who was "bound" for our freedom, and through Him, we find the grace to cry out in our distress, knowing He hears and delivers.

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 36:8

And if [they be] bound in fetters, [and] be holden in cords of affliction;

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Numbers 32:14

And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.

2 Chronicles 28:13

And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD [already], ye intend to add [more] to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and [there is] fierce wrath against Israel.

2 Chronicles 28:22

And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this [is that] king Ahaz.

Matthew 22:12

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Matthew 22:13

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.