Job 23:13

Job 23:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
• New International Version (NIV)“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.

Context of Job 23:13

11For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. 12I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. 14So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. 15No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me.

Job 23:13 word by word

וְה֣וּא בְ֭אֶחָד וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ וְנַפְשׁ֖וֹ אִוְּתָ֣ה וַיָּֽעַשׂ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• in oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• and who can turnשׁוּבshûb · to return: turn backH7725
• his soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: myselfH5315
• desirethאָוָה'âvâh · to desireH183
• he doethעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213

Cross-references for Job 23:13

• Job 9:12If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’
• Job 11:10If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him?
• Job 12:14What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape.
• Job 34:29But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation.
• Numbers 23:19God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
• Ecclesiastes 1:15What is wrong cannot be made right. What is missing cannot be recovered.
• Ecclesiastes 3:14And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.
• Romans 9:19Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”
• James 1:17Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
• Psalms 115:3Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.
• Psalms 135:6The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.
• Proverbs 19:21You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
• Isaiah 14:24The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath: “It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided.
• Isaiah 46:10Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
• Daniel 4:35All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
• Ephesians 1:9God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.

Commentaries on Job 23:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13But he is in one mind - The original is באחד והוא 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13But 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-17Verses 13-17 As Job does not once question but that his trials are from the hand of God, and that there is no such thing as chance, how does he account for them? The principle on which he views them is, that the hope and reward of the faithful servants of God are only laid up in another life; and he maintains that it is plain to all, that the wicked are not treated according to their deserts in this life, but often directly the reverse. But though the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14No one can change God's mind (9:12–13; 11:10; 12:14; 34:29; Numbers 23:19–20; James 1:17).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. in one mind--notwithstanding my innocence, He is unaltered in His purpose of proving me guilty (Job 9:12). soul--His will (Psa 115:3). God's sovereignty. He has one great purpose; nothing is haphazard; everything has its proper place with a view to His purpose.Read the comment

Topics related to Job 23:13

• God Continued...
• Predestination

In the dictionaries

• Bitter
• Complaint
• Providence
• Foreknow; Foreknowledge

Commentaries on Job 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings