Job 20:13

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 20:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;
Job 20:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“[Though] he spare it, etc.] Not that he feeds sparingly on it, for he eats of it freely and plentifully, with great eagerness and greediness; it designs the gratefulness of it to him; he does not spit it out as loathsome, having tasted of it, but retains it as sweet and pleasant; he spares it as Saul did Agag, and as a man spares his only son; sin being a child, a brat of a wicked man, and therefore it is dear unto him: and forsake it not: as he never will, until he is fully convinced of the evil of it, and it becomes exceeding sinful to him, and so loathsome and disagreeable; and he is restrained from it by the grace of God, and enabled by it to desert it, for such an one only finds mercy,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Though he spare it - That is, though he retains it long in his mouth, that he may enjoy it the more. And forsake it not - Retains it as long as he can. But keep it still within his mouth - Margin, as in Hebrew “in the midst of his palate.” He seeks to enjoy it as long as possible. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“spare it: Mat 5:29, Mat 5:30; Mar 9:43-49; Rom 8:13 within his mouth: Heb. in the midst of his palate Job 20:14”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification