Job 13:23
¶ How many [are] mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
How many are mine iniquities {H5771} and sins {H2403}? make me to know {H3045} my transgression {H6588} and my sin {H2403}.
How many crimes and sins have I committed? Make me know my transgression and sin.
How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
Cross-References
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Psalms 139:23 (4 votes)
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: -
Job 36:8 (4 votes)
And if [they be] bound in fetters, [and] be holden in cords of affliction; -
Job 36:9 (4 votes)
Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. -
Psalms 44:20 (4 votes)
If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; -
Psalms 44:21 (4 votes)
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. -
Job 22:5 (3 votes)
¶ [Is] not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?
Commentary
In Job 13:23, the suffering patriarch Job, in the midst of his intense pain and the accusations of his friends, directly addresses God. He passionately pleads for God to reveal the specific transgressions or sins that have supposedly led to his immense suffering. This verse captures Job's deep desire for understanding and vindication, as he feels unjustly punished.
Context
This verse comes from a section where Job is directly challenging God, moving beyond his initial lament and his debates with his three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). His friends insist that his suffering must be a direct consequence of hidden sin, adhering to a strict retribution theology. Job, however, maintains his integrity and innocence regarding any sin that would warrant such catastrophic judgment. He longs for a legal-style confrontation with God, where he can present his case and God can declare his specific offenses. This reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice, where calamity was often linked directly to personal wrongdoing.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV uses three distinct terms for wrongdoing in this verse, reflecting nuances in the original Hebrew:
Job uses these terms to cover the full spectrum of possible offenses, challenging God to pinpoint exactly where he has gone wrong.
Practical Application
Job's desperate cry resonates with anyone who has faced inexplicable suffering or felt unjustly accused. While we may not demand a direct account from God as Job did, this verse encourages:
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.