King James Version

What Does Job 13:24 Mean?

Job 13:24 in the King James Version says “Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?” — study this verse from Job chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?”

Job 13:24 · KJV

Context

22

Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

23

How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24

Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?

25

Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

26

For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Job laments God's hiddenness: 'Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?' The hidden face of God represents divine favor's withdrawal—a terrifying experience for the faithful. Job's question 'Why?' expresses his deepest pain: not just physical suffering but the sense that God has become his adversary. This prefigures Christ's cry of dereliction (Matthew 27:46), where the truly innocent One experiences divine abandonment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's face represented His favorable presence (Numbers 6:25-26). To have God hide His face signified covenant curse (Deuteronomy 31:17-18). Job experiences what Israel would later suffer in exile—the sense of God's absence and opposition.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you felt that God was hiding His face from you, and how did you respond?
  2. How does Christ's experience of abandonment provide comfort when we feel God's absence?
  3. What is the difference between God actually being absent and our feeling that He is absent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
לָֽמָּה1 of 6
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

פָנֶ֥יךָ2 of 6

“thou thy face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

תַסְתִּ֑יר3 of 6

“Wherefore hidest”

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

וְתַחְשְׁבֵ֖נִי4 of 6

“and holdest”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

לְאוֹיֵ֣ב5 of 6

“me for thine enemy”

H341

hating; an adversary

לָֽךְ׃6 of 6
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 13:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 13:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 19:11Psalms 13:1Lamentations 2:5Isaiah 8:17Job 33:10Deuteronomy 32:20

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