Job 13:16

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 13:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
Job 13:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He also [shall be] my salvation, etc.] Job, though he asserted the integrity of his heart and life, yet did not depend on his ways and works for salvation, but only on the Lord himself; this is to be understood not of temporal salvation, though God is the author of that, and it is only to be had of him, yet Job had no hope concerning that; but of spiritual and eternal salvation, which God the Father has contrived, determined, and resolved on, and sent his Son to effect; which Christ being sent is the author of by his obedience, sufferings, and death; and in him, and in his name alone, is salvation; and every soul, sensible of the insufficiency of himself and others to save him, will resolve,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He--rather, "This also already speaks in my behalf (literally, 'for my saving acquittal') for an hypocrite would not wish to come before Him" (as I do) [UMBREIT]. (See last clause of Job 13:15).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He also shalt be my salvation - See the notes at Isaiah 12:2. Literally, “He is unto me for salvation,” that is, “I put my trust in him, and he will save me. The opportunity of appearing before God, and of maintaining my cause in his presence, will result in my deliverance from the charges which are alleged against me. I shall be able there to show that I am not a hypocrite, and God will become my defender.” For an hypocrite shall not come before him - This seems to be a proverb, or a statement of a general and indisputable principle. Job admitted this to be true. Yet he expected to be able to vindicate himself before God, and this gould prove that he was not an hypocrite - on the general…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“my salvation: Exo 15:2; Psa 27:1, Psa 62:6, Psa 62:7, Psa 118:14, Psa 118:21; Isa 12:2; Jer 3:23; Act 13:47 for an hypocrite: Job 8:13, Job 27:8-10, Job 36:13; Isa 33:14 Job 13:17”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification