But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

JOB 13:4KJV
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Job 13:4 (KJV)

What does Job 13:4 mean?

Job 13:4 describes how Job accuses his friends of being dishonest and unhelpful, calling them "forgers of lies" and "physicians of no value." Job is saying that their advice and explanations are not only false but also useless in his suffering.

In this verse, Job is speaking directly to his friends who have been trying to explain his suffering by blaming him or offering shallow answers. Job feels misunderstood and betrayed by their words, seeing them as people who twist the truth and offer no real comfort or healing. This statement comes in the middle of Job defending himself and challenging the wisdom and motives of those who claim to help him.

The Hebrew behind Job 13:4

  • "Forgers" (טָפַל, ṭāpal) means to smear or plaster, often used for someone who fabricates or invents something false. Here, it highlights that Job sees his friends as people who are making up lies rather than speaking truthfully.
  • "Lies" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer) refers to falsehoods or things that are not true. Job is directly accusing his friends of dishonesty in their arguments.
  • "Physicians" (רָפָא, rapha) means healers or doctors. Job uses this word sarcastically, suggesting that his friends are supposed to help but actually do nothing to heal his pain.
  • "Value" (אֱלִיל, elil) means worthless or of no account. Job is emphasizing that their attempts to help are completely ineffective.

Why Job 13:4 matters

  • Job 13:4 clears up the idea that Job's friends were truly helping him; instead, Job sees their words as harmful and empty.
  • This verse highlights Job's growing frustration and isolation, showing how alone he feels even among those who claim to care for him.
  • The strong language connects to the larger theme in Job of the limits of human wisdom and the pain caused by shallow or misguided comfort.

Where else these words appear

“forgers” Hebrew H2950 · used in 3 verses

  • Job 14:17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
  • Psalms 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

“value” Hebrew H457 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 19:4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
  • Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
  • Isaiah 19:3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

“But” Hebrew H199 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
  • 1 Samuel 25:34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
  • Job 12:7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

“physicians” Hebrew H7495 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
  • Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.