Job 13:21 (KJV)

What does Job 13:21 mean?

Job 13:21 records Job asking God to withdraw His hand from him and not to let fear of God overwhelm him. Job is pleading for relief from suffering and from the terror he feels under God's power, so that he can speak honestly and openly.

Job is speaking directly to God in the middle of a long speech defending himself. Job feels crushed by both his pain and the sense of God's overwhelming presence. He asks for some distance from God's "hand"—a symbol of power or discipline—and for God not to frighten him, so that Job can make his case without fear.

The Hebrew behind Job 13:21

• "Withdraw" (רָחַק, rachaq): This word means to put something far away or to distance it. Job is not just asking for a pause in suffering, but for God’s power to be removed to a safe distance.
• "Hand" (כַּף, kaph): Often used for the palm or hand, this word here represents God’s active power or control over Job’s life, especially in bringing suffering.
• "Dread" (אֵימָה, eimah): This word means terror or great fear. Job is not only suffering physically but is also deeply afraid of God’s overwhelming presence.
• "Afraid" (בָּעַת, ba’at): This verb means to be terrified or shaken. Job is describing a fear so intense that it unsettles him completely.

Why Job 13:21 matters

• Job 13:21 shows that Job wants an honest, fearless conversation with God, not one clouded by terror or suffering.
• The verse highlights the depth of Job’s distress—not just physical pain, but also the psychological weight of feeling overpowered by God.
• This request sets up Job’s desire to present his case before God, which is a key theme in the surrounding chapters.