Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 23:13
But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
13 17. Job’s innocency though known to God is disregarded by Him. He is unchangeable in His resolution, and He has resolved to destroy him.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But he is in one mind – He is unchangeable. He has formed his plans, and no one can divert him from them. Of the truth of this sentiment there can be no dispute. The only difficulty in the case is to see why Job adverted to it here, and how it bears on the train of thought which he was pursuing. The idea seems to be, that God was now accomplishing his eternal purposes in respect to him; that he had formed a plan far back in eternal ages, and that that plan must be executed; that he was a Sovereign, and that however mysterious his plans might be, it was vain to contend with them, and that man ought to submit to their execution with patience and resignation. Job expected yet that God would come forth and vindicate him; but at present all that he could do was to submit. He did not pretend to understand the reason of the divine dispensations; he felt that he had no power to resist God. The language here is that of a man who is perplexed in regard to the divine dealings, but who feels that they are all in accordance with the unchangeable purpose of God.
And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth – He does what he pleases. None can resist or control him. It is vain, therefore, to contend against him. From this passage we see that the doctrine of divine sovereignty was understood at a very early age of the world, and entered undoubtedly into the religion of the patriarchs. It was then seen and felt that God was absolute; that he was not dependent on his creatures; that he acted according to a plan; that he was inflexible in regard to that plan, and that it was in vain to attempt to resist its execution. It is, when properly understood, a matter of unspeakable consolation that God has a plan – for who could honor a God who had no plan, but who did everything by hap-hazard? It is matter of rejoicing that he has one great purpose which extends through all ages, and which embraces all things – for then everything falls into its proper place, and has its appropriate bearing on other events. It is a matter of joy that God does execute all his purposes; for as they are all good and wise, it is desirable that they should be executed. It would be a calamity if a good plan were not executed. Why then should people complain at the purposes or the decrees of God?
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 13. But he is in one mind] The original is vehu beechad, and is literally, But he is in one: properly rendered by the Vulgate, Ipse enim solus est. But he is alone. And not badly rendered by Coverdale. – It is he himself alone. He has no partner; his designs are his own, they are formed in his infinite wisdom, and none can turn his determinations aside. It is vain, therefore, for man to contend with his Maker. He designs my happiness, and you cannot prevent its accomplishment.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He is in one mind, i.e. notwithstanding all these evidences of my sincere piety, and all my prayers to him, he still continues in the same mind and course of afflicting me. Or,
but he is, i.e. if he be, against one, or against any man, as that word is oft used, as he now setteth himself against me. Or, but he is one, the Hebrew prefix beth being here the note of a nominative case, as it is Job 18:8; Psa 68:5; Hos 13:9, and elsewhere. So the sense is, But why do I waste words to no purpose? All my former constant integrity, and my present profession of it, gives me no case, he is still one and the same, constant, unchangeable in his purposes and counsels of proceeding against me. Or, he is alone, and there is none besides him who can either restrain, or advise, or move him.
Who can turn him? no man can change his counsels or course, or incline him to show favour to me. He is most absolute and free to do what he pleaseth, and he dealeth with me accordingly, and not by those milder methods which he useth towards other men.
What his soul desireth, even that he doeth; he will not do what I please or desire, but only what pleaseth himself.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. in one mindnotwithstandingmy innocence, He is unaltered in His purpose of proving meguilty (Job 9:12).
soulHis will(Ps 115:3). God’s sovereignty.He has one great purpose; nothing is haphazard; everything has itsproper place with a view to His purpose.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But he [is] in one [mind],…. Either with respect to his commandments, every precept remains in full force, he never alters the thing that is gone out of his lips, or delivers out other commandments different from, or contrary to what he has given; and therefore Job thought it his duty to abide by them, and not decline from them; which is the sense of a Jewish commentator c, connecting the words with the preceding: Or with respect to his dispensations towards Job in afflicting him; which he continued notwithstanding his innocence, because he is a sovereign Being, and does whatsoever he pleases; he is unchangeable in his purposes and decrees; he is not to be wrought upon by any means to alter his fixed course; he is not to be contradicted nor resisted; and this was the reason why he would not be found by him, though he sought him so earnestly and diligently, and why he would not hear him, and would not appear to try his cause, though he knew he was innocent, because he was determined to go on to afflict him; and he never changes his mind, or alters his counsels, on any account whatever. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, “for he [is] alone”: and so the Targum,
“if he is alone, or the only one;”
there is none with him to advise him, for “with whom took he counsel?” or to persuade him to be of another mind, and take contrary measures, who might be applied to, to use their interest with him to act it, a different manner; but he is alone, there are none with him that have any influence upon him, and can prevail with him to do otherwise than he does; some translate the words, “if he acts against one” d; against a man in a hostile way, if he sets his face against him, and comes upon him as an enemy; and so Mr. Broughton, “yet when he is against me, who can stay him?” notwithstanding my innocence and integrity, though I keep his ways, and do not go back from his commandments. Some think there is a redundancy of a letter, which we translate “in”, and then the words wilt be read thus: “but he [is] one”; the one only living and true God; this is the voice of reason and revelation, “hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is one Lord”, De 6:4; for though there are three Persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, “these three are one [God]”, 1Jo 5:7; and so the words are expressive of the unity of the Divine Being; but this seems not to be Job’s sense: Aben Ezra says, the truth is, that the letter is not added, is no redundancy, and should be read “he is in one”; but, says he, I cannot explain it, there is a great mystery in it: what the Jew understood not may be more clear and plain to us Christians, who are taught the mystery of the indwelling of the divine Persons in each other, the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father, as they are divine Persons; though in what manner they are we are not able to explain; besides, God was in Christ, as Mediator, reconciling the world, choosing his people in him, and blessing them with all spiritual blessings in him; though the true sense seems to, be what is before given, agreeably to our version, that God is in one mind, purpose, and design; that his decrees are unchangeable and invariable; that he always acts according to them, and never alters them:
and who can turn him? turn his mind, or cause him to change his counsel, and alter his purposes; or turn his hand, or stop and stay it from the execution of them; it is not to be done by force and power, there is no power equal to his, and much less superior to his; which must be the case, if any could turn him: and though he may be turned by the prayers of his people, and by the repentance of men, so as to repent himself, and not do what he has threatened to do; yet this is no change of his mind and counsels, only an alteration in the course of his providence, or a change of his outward dealings with men, according to his unchangeable will; see Isa 14:27;
and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doth: that is, what he himself desireth earnestly and vehemently; he has done all things in creation according to the good pleasure of his will; and he does all things in providence according to the counsel of it, and as seems best in his sight; and so he does all things in grace, chooses whom he will, predestinates to the adoption of children according to the good pleasure of his will: redeems whom he pleases, and calls by his grace, and brings to glory whomsoever he will be gracious to; see Ps 115:3.
c Sophorno. d “sed si ipse contra unum agit”, Junius Tremellius so Piscator, Cocceius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| Job’s Comfort in His Integrity. | B. C. 1520. |
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. 15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. 16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: 17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Some make Job to complain here that God dealt unjustly and unfairly with him in proceeding to punish him without the least relenting or relaxation, though he had such incontestable evidences to produce of his innocency. I am loth to think holy Job would charge the holy God with iniquity; but his complaint is indeed bitter and peevish, and he reasons himself into a sort of patience per force, which he cannot do without reflecting upon God as dealing hardly with him, but he must bear it because he cannot help it; the worst he says is that God deals unaccountably with him.
I. He lays down good truths, and truths which were capable of a good improvement, Job 23:13; Job 23:14. 1. That God’s counsels are immutable: He is in one mind, and who can turn him? He is one (so some read it) or in one; he has no counsellors by whose interest he might be prevailed with to alter his purpose: he has no counsellors by whose interest he might be prevailed with to alter his purpose: he is one with himself, and never alters his mind, never alters his measures. Prayer has prevailed to change God’s way and his providence, but never was his will or purpose changed; for known unto God are all his works. 2. That his power is irresistible: What his soul desires or designs even that he does, and nothing can stand in his way or put him upon new counsels. Men desire many things which they may not do, or cannot do, or dare not do. But God has an incontestable sovereignty; his will is so perfectly pure and right that it is highly fit he should pursue all its determinations. And he has an uncontrollable power. None can stay his hand. Whatever the Lord pleased that did he (Ps. cxxxv. 6), and always will, for it is always best. 3. That all he does is according to the counsel of his will (v. 14): He performs the thing that is appointed for me. Whatever happens to us, it is God that performs it (Ps. lvii. 2), and an admirable performance the whole will appear to be when the mystery of God shall be finished. He performs all that, and that only, which was appointed, and in the appointed time and method. This may silence us, for what is appointed cannot be altered. But to consider that, when God was appointing us to eternal life and glory as our end, he was appointing to this condition, this affliction, whatever it is, in our way, this may do more than silence us, it may satisfy us that it is all for the best; though what he does we know not now, yet we shall know hereafter. 4. That all he does is according to the custom of his providence: Many such things are with him, that is, He does many things in the course of his providence which we can give no account of, but must resolve into his absolute sovereignty. Whatever trouble we are in others have been in the like. Our case is not singular; the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren, 1 Pet. v. 9. Are we sick or sore, impoverished and stripped? Are our children removed by death or our friends unkind? This is what God has appointed for us, and many such things are with him. Shall the earth be forsaken for us?
II. He makes but a bad use of these good truths. Had he duly considered them, he might have said, “Therefore am I easy and pleased, and well reconciled to the way of my God concerning me; therefore will I rejoice in hope that my troubles will issue well at last.” But he said, Therefore am I troubled at his presence, v. 15. Those are indeed of troubled spirits who are troubled at the presence of God, as the psalmist, who remembered God and was troubled, Ps. lxxvii. 3. See what confusion poor Job was now in, for he contradicted himself: just now he was troubled for God’s absence (Job 23:8; Job 23:9); now he is troubled at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him. What he now felt made him fear worse. There is indeed that which, if we consider it, will show that we have cause to be afraid of God–his infinite justice and purity, compared with our own sinfulness and vileness; but if, withal, we consider his grace in a Redeemer, and our compliance with that grace, our fears will vanish and we shall see cause to hope in him. See what impressions were made upon him by the wounds of his spirit. 1. He was very fearful (v. 16): The Almighty troubled him, and so made his heart soft, that is, utterly unable to bear any thing, and afraid of every thing that stirred. There is a gracious softness, like that of Josiah, whose heart was tender, and trembled at the word of God; but this is meant of a grievous softness which apprehends every thing that is present to be pressing and every thing future to be threatening. 2. He was very fretful, peevish indeed, for he quarrels with God, (1.) Because he did not die before his troubles, that he might never have seen them (Because I was not cut off before the darkness, v. 17), and yet if, in the height of his prosperity, he had received a summons to the grave, he would have thought it hard. This may help to reconcile us to death, whenever it comes, that we do not know what evil we may be taken away from. But when trouble comes it is folly to wish we had not lived to see it and it is better to make the best of it. (2.) Because he was left to live so long in his troubles, and the darkness was not covered from his face by his being hidden in the grave. We should bear the darkness better than thus if we would but remember that to the upright there sometimes arises a marvellous light in the darkness; however, there is reserved for them a more marvellous light after it.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
(13) He is one, or in one.Job either declares His unique sovereignty or His unchangeable purpose. The context seems to support the latter, in which case the sense given by the Authorised Version is correct.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. He is in one The (in) is beth essential God is one and the same, unchangeable. His determinations he carries into execution.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Job 23:13. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? For when he is in the way, who shall turn him? whatever he desireth, that he doth. Job had said, in the preceding verses, that he had observed the steps, and trodden in the way of God; and he now adds, when he is in the way, who shall turn him out? i.e. “Who shall compel God to forsake that way of ruling human affairs which he hath once purposed, and to follow another.” Houb.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(13) But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. (14) For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. (15) Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. (16) For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: (17) Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Job here falls back again into somewhat of his former frame. Perhaps some new pain of the body goaded him at the moment; at least, we may consider grace less active than when he expressed himself so sweetly in the former part of the chapter. Alas! what is man; even the best of men, if for one moment left without the influence of the SPIRIT. Reader, let you and I learn from it, the vast importance of David’s prayer, Lord take not thine holy Spirit from me! Psa 51:11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Job 23:13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
Ver. 13. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? ] He is ever like himself, not mutable, inconstant, or various, as men who are (as Tertullian saith of the peacock) all in changeable colours, as often changed as moved. God’s name is, “I am,” Exo 3:14 . And if Pilate could say, What I have written I have written, nothing shall be altered; how much more may the Lord, who is the same yesterday, today, and for ever! His decrees are immutable, his power irresistible. Some think that Job complaineth here of God’s absolute power, and little less than tyrannical, exercised against him, an innocent person. If so, Job was surely much to blame, sith God’s absolute power is never sundered from his justice; and it must be taken for an undoubted truth that his judgments are sometimes secret, but always just.
And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
His soul = Himself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
who can: Job 9:12, Job 9:13, Job 11:10, Job 12:14, Job 34:29, Num 23:19, Num 23:20, Ecc 1:15, Ecc 3:14, Rom 9:19, Jam 1:17
and what: Psa 115:3, Psa 135:6, Pro 19:21, Isa 14:24-27, Isa 46:10, Dan 4:35, Eph 1:9-11
Reciprocal: Num 23:27 – peradventure Job 10:7 – and there Job 10:13 – I know Job 14:5 – thou hast Job 42:2 – can be withholden from thee Psa 2:7 – the decree Psa 33:11 – The counsel Isa 14:27 – his Isa 46:11 – I have spoken Jer 29:11 – I know Jer 30:24 – fierce Jer 36:28 – General Jer 38:17 – If thou Jer 38:21 – this is Dan 11:36 – for 2Co 11:12 – what Heb 6:17 – the immutability
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Job 23:13. He is of one mind The word mind is not in the Hebrew, which is only , beehad, he is in one, namely, in one way, or purpose, or counsel. Notwithstanding all these evidences of my sincere piety, and all my prayers to him, he still continues in the same course of afflicting me. And who can turn him? No man can change his counsels or course of acting. He is most absolute and free, to do what he pleaseth, and he deals with me accordingly, and not by those milder methods which he uses toward other men. What his soul desireth, even that he doth He will not do what I please or desire, but only what he pleases.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Job 23:13-17. But God follows His own will and does what He pleases. Therefore Job is afraid.
In Job 23:13 a read with Duhm, But he has decreed.
Job 23:14 points out that Jobs case does not stand alone.
Job 23:17 is obscure. Read For I am cut off by the darkness, and thick darkness covers my face (Duhm).
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
23:13 But he [is] in one [mind], and who can {h} turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.
(h) Job confesses that at the present he did not feel God’s favour and yet was assured that God had appointed him to a good end.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Job’s frustration 23:13-24:17
God’s irresistible power and inscrutable behavior made Job afraid (Job 23:13-17). Nevertheless he determined to confront God with His apparent injustice.
Job could not understand why God did not always judge overt sin quickly (Job 24:1-12). Most people still have the same question. He mentioned three sins specifically: removing boundary landmarks and thereby appropriating someone else’s land, stealing flocks of sheep, and mistreating the weak. Job could not see why God seemingly ignored the perpetrators of these terrible sins, yet afflicted him so severely. Neither could he see why God did not judge sinners who practiced secret atrocities, specifically: murderers, adulterers, and burglars (Job 24:14-17).