Job 13:15
New International Version
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

New Living Translation
God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.

English Standard Version
Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.

Berean Standard Bible
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.

King James Bible
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

New King James Version
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

New American Standard Bible
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

NASB 1995
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

NASB 1977
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

Amplified Bible
“Even though He kills me; I will hope in Him. Nevertheless, I will argue my ways to His face.

Christian Standard Bible
Even if he kills me, I will hope in him. I will still defend my ways before him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways before Him.

American Standard Version
Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

Contemporary English Version
God may kill me, but still I will trust him and offer my defense.

English Revised Version
Though he slay me, yet will I wait for him: nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If God would kill me, I would have no hope [left]. Nevertheless, I will defend my behavior to his face.

Good News Translation
I've lost all hope, so what if God kills me? I am going to state my case to him.

International Standard Version
Even though he kills me, I'll continue to hope in him. At least I'll be able to argue my case to his face!

Majority Standard Bible
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.

NET Bible
Even if he slays me, I will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face!

New Heart English Bible
Look, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Though he shall slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.

World English Bible
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, He slays me—I do not wait! Only, I argue my ways to His face.

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, He doth slay me -- I wait not! Only, my ways unto His face I argue.

Smith's Literal Translation
If he shall slay me shall I not hope? only I will prove my ways to his face.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And now, if he would kill me, I will hope in him; in this, truly, I will correct my ways in his sight.

New American Bible
Slay me though he might, I will wait for him; I will defend my conduct before him.

New Revised Standard Version
See, he will kill me; I have no hope; but I will defend my ways to his face.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Though he slay me, yet will I look for him; because my ways are before him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If he will kill me, it is for him alone I look, because my ways are before him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him; But I will argue my ways before Him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Reproves His Friends
14Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands? 15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. 16Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.…

Cross References
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, / yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

Daniel 3:17-18
If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ...

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 31:14-15
But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” / My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 62:5-8
Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him. / He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken. / My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God. ...

Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. / Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.

Lamentations 3:21-24
Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: / Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! ...


Treasury of Scripture

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.

he slay me

Job 13:18
Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.

Job 19:25-28
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: …

Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

but I will

Job 10:7
Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.

Job 16:17,21
Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure…

Job 23:4-7
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments…

maintain.

Jump to Previous
Argue Argument Defend End Face Hope Kill Maintain Nevertheless Slay Surely Trust Wait Way Ways
Jump to Next
Argue Argument Defend End Face Hope Kill Maintain Nevertheless Slay Surely Trust Wait Way Ways
Job 13
1. Job reproves his friends for partiality
14. He professes his confidence in God;
19. and entreats to know his own sins, and God's purpose in afflicting him














Though He slay me
This phrase is a profound declaration of faith and submission. The Hebrew word for "slay" is "הָרַג" (harag), which means to kill or destroy. Job acknowledges the sovereignty of God, even to the point of death. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine power, where gods were seen as having ultimate control over life and death. Job's statement is a testament to his unwavering faith, recognizing that even if God allows suffering or death, it is within His divine prerogative. This reflects a deep trust in God's character and purposes, even when they are not understood.

I will hope in Him
The Hebrew word for "hope" is "יָחַל" (yachal), which conveys a sense of waiting or expecting. In the midst of his suffering, Job chooses to place his hope in God. This is not a passive resignation but an active trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. Theologically, this highlights the concept of hope as a central tenet of faith, where believers are called to trust in God's promises despite present circumstances. Job's hope is not based on his current situation but on the character of God, which is a powerful example for believers facing trials.

I will still defend my ways to His face
Here, Job expresses his intention to maintain his integrity and present his case before God. The phrase "defend my ways" uses the Hebrew "אוֹכִיחַ" (okhiakh), meaning to argue or prove. Job is not claiming sinlessness but is asserting his innocence regarding the accusations of his friends. The phrase "to His face" indicates a direct and personal encounter with God, reflecting the ancient practice of presenting one's case before a judge. This demonstrates Job's desire for a relationship with God that is honest and transparent. It underscores the biblical theme of wrestling with God in prayer and seeking understanding, even in the midst of suffering.

(15) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.--This rendering is almost proverbial; but, to say the least, its accuracy is very doubtful, for the better reading does not warrant it, but runs thus: Behold He will slay me. I have no hope; yet will I maintain my ways before Him. It is true we thus lose a very beautiful and familiar resolve; but the expression of living trust is not less vivid. For though there is, as there can be, no gleam of hope for victory in this conflict, yet, notwithstanding, Job will not forego his conviction of integrity; for the voice of conscience is the voice of God, and if he knows himself to be innocent, he would belie and dishonour God as well as himself in renouncing his innocence.

Verse 15. - Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him; rather, yet will I wait for him. The passage is one of the few in this book where there are two readings - לו איחל and לאֹ איחל. Those who prefer the latter commonly render it, "I have no hope;" but it is pointed out by Canon Cook that there are reasons for regarding לֹא as an archaic form for לו, which sometimes takes its place. If this be not allowed the reading לו will have to be preferred, on the double authority of the versions and of the context. Job cannot possibly have said, in one verse, "I have no hope," and in the next, "He (God) shall be my Salvation." But I will maintain mine own ways before him; i.e. "I will maintain that they are right and good ways, not open to the imputations that my 'friends' have cast upon them" (Job 4:7, 8; Job 8:6, 20; Job 11:11, 14, 20).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Though
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Interjection
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

He slay me,
יִ֭קְטְלֵנִי (yiq·ṭə·lê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 6991: To cut off, put to death

I will hope in Him.
אֲיַחֵ֑ל (’ă·ya·ḥêl)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3176: To wait, to be patient, hope

I will still
אַךְ־ (’aḵ-)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

defend
אוֹכִֽיחַ׃ (’ō·w·ḵî·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict

my ways
דְּ֝רָכַ֗י (də·rā·ḵay)
Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

His face.
פָּנָ֥יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


Links
Job 13:15 NIV
Job 13:15 NLT
Job 13:15 ESV
Job 13:15 NASB
Job 13:15 KJV

Job 13:15 BibleApps.com
Job 13:15 Biblia Paralela
Job 13:15 Chinese Bible
Job 13:15 French Bible
Job 13:15 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 13:15 Behold he will kill me (Jb)
Job 13:14
Top of Page
Top of Page