King James Version

What Does Job 35:14 Mean?

Job 35:14 in the King James Version says “Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. — study this verse from Job chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.

Job 35:14 · KJV


Context

12

There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

13

Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

14

Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.

15

But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity: he hath: that is, God hath he knoweth: that is, Job knoweth

16

Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him (אַף כִּי־תֹאמַר לֹא תְשׁוּרֶנּוּ, aph ki-tomar lo teshurennu)—The phrase refers to Job's complaint of God's hiddenness (Job 9:11, 13:24, 23:8-9). The verb shuwr (שׁוּר, "to see, perceive") indicates Job feels God is invisible, absent. The phrase yet judgment is before him (דִּין לְפָנָיו, din lephanav) uses din (דִּין, judgment, justice), assuring that God's justice operates despite appearances. The phrase therefore trust thou in him (וּתְחוֹלֵל לוֹ, utecholel lo) uses chul (חוּל, "to wait, hope, trust"). Elihu counsels Job to trust despite God's perceived absence.

The hiddenness of God (Deus absconditus) is profound theological theme. Isaiah 45:15: "Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself." Yet Psalm 22:24 assures: "He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him." Job experiences God's felt absence, not actual abandonment. Christ endured ultimate God-forsakenness (Mark 15:34) so believers need never be truly abandoned (Hebrews 13:5). Faith trusts God's character when unable to trace His hand (Romans 8:24-25, "hope that is seen is not hope").

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern religions offered tangible divine presence through idols and temples. Israel's prohibition of images and experience of exile created crises of divine absence. Prophets addressed this: Hosea's God withdrawing from unfaithful Israel (Hosea 5:6, 15), Isaiah's hidden God (Isaiah 8:17), Jeremiah's absent God during exile. Yet prophetic faith maintained confidence in covenant faithfulness despite felt absence. This prepared for NT faith: walking by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we maintain faith when God seems absent or silent?
  2. What is the difference between God's felt absence and actual abandonment?
  3. How does Christ's experience of forsakenness (Mark 15:34) ensure believers are never truly abandoned?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
אַ֣ף1 of 9

Although

H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּֽי2 of 9
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תֹ֭אמַר3 of 9

thou sayest

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֣א4 of 9
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ5 of 9

thou shalt not see

H7789

to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for

דִּ֥ין6 of 9

him yet judgment

H1779

judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife

לְ֝פָנָ֗יו7 of 9

is before

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

וּתְח֥וֹלֵֽל8 of 9

him therefore trust

H2342

properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi

לֽוֹ׃9 of 9
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 35:14 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 35:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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