job 13 and 14

Read Job 13 and 14 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions for each man’s speech are like the divisions in the Psalms that we studied in 2014. There is an understood {s} division at the end of each numbered line, with an {n} marking where a new line begins within a numbered line.

Job 13:1-14:22 {s} Division at the end of each numbered line; with these {n} divisions within lines:
Job 13:27a, You put my feet in the stocks, And watch closely all my paths. {n}
Job 14:7a, “For there is hope for a tree, {n}
Job 14:12a, So man lies down and does not rise. {n}
Job 14:14a, If a man dies, shall he live again? {n}
Job 14:19a, As water wears away stones, And as torrents wash away the soil of the earth; {n}

Job 12-14 is all one speech, Job’s answer to Zophar; really, his answer to all three friends that have spoken. There are several chiastic structures which I am posting from my notes.

Job 12:1-13:2, Of course the hand of the Lord has caused my calamity, for none can stand before His will:

1a) Job 12:1-10, I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you / Indeed, who does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

1b) Job 12:11-12, Does not the ear test words? Wisdom is with the aged;

1c) Job 12:13, With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding;

central axis) Job 12:14-15, What He wills, He does, and none can undo it;

2c) Job 12:16, With Him are strength and prudence. The deceived and the deceiver are His;

2b) Job 12:17-25, He takes away the honor / understanding of the mighty + the elders;

2a) Job 13:1-2, My eye has seen and understood this; I am not inferior to you.

Job 13:3-21, Now let me reason with God, for He will vindicate me; as for you, your counsel is worthless – God does not need you to contend for Him:

1a) Job 13:3, But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God;

1b) Job 13:4-6, You forge lies, Your counsel is worthless / Now hear my reasoning;

1) Job 13:4-5, You forge lies, you are worthless physicians;
2) Job 13:6, Now hear my reasoning, and heed the pleadings of my lips.

1c) Job 13:7, Will you speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?

1d) Job 13:8-9a, Will you show partiality + contend for God? Will it be well when He searches you out?

central axis) Job 13:9b, Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?

2d) Job 13:10, He will surely rebuke you If you secretly show partiality;

2c) Job 13:11, Will not His excellence make you afraid, and the dread of Him fall upon you?

2b) Job 13:12-13, Your defenses are ashes and clay / Now let me speak;

1) Job 13:12, Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
2) Job 13:13, “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, Then let come on me what may!

2a) Job 13:14-21, I will defend myself before Him, for I trust Him to vindicate me, and be my salvation.

Job 13:22-14:17, Job does not realize he prophesies of Messiah, when he laments to be hidden in the grave, then risen again, when God’s wrath has passed, to make clean what was unclean:

1a) Job 13:22-27a, Call and I will answer / You mark my iniquities and closely watch my paths;

1) Job 13:22, Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, then You respond to me;
2) Job 13:23-27a, How many are my iniquities? / You bind my feet and closely watch my paths:

1a) Job 13:23-26, How many are my iniquities and sins?
1b) Job 13:27a, You put my feet in the stocks, and watch closely all my paths; {n}

1b) Job 13:27b-14:3, You set my limit, for I am of few days, and then will see decay;

1) Job 13:27b, You set a limit for the soles of my feet;
2) Job 13:28-14:3, Why do You open Your eyes toward man, who is of few days, then decays?

central axis) Job 14:4, Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!

2b) Job 14:5-14b, You have appointed his limits, for when he dies he will not rise again;

1) Job 14:5, His days are determined … You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass;
2) Job 14:6-14b, Look away from him, since he will not rise again when he dies;

1a) Job 14:6, Look away from him that he may rest, till like a hired man he finishes his day;
1b) Job 14:7-12, So a man dies and does not rise;
central axis) Job 14:13, Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, that You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, that You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
2b) Job 14:14a, If a man dies, shall he live again? {n}
2a) Job 14:14b, All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes;

2a) Job 14:15-17, Call and I will answer / You do not watch over my sin, but cover my iniquity;

1) Job 14:15, You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands;
2) Job 14:16-17, You number my steps, but do not watch over my sin / You cover my iniquity:

2b) Job 14:16, For now You number my steps, but do not watch over my sin;
2a) Job 14:17, My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover my iniquity.