Job 23:13
Job 23:13 in Multiple Translations
But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
But his purpose is fixed and there is no changing it; and he gives effect to the desire of his soul.
But God is unchangeable—who can turn him from his purposes? He does whatever he wants to do.
Yet he is in one minde, and who can turne him? yea, he doeth what his minde desireth.
And He [is] in one [mind], And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired — and He doth [it].
But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
But he is in one mind , and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done.
“He never changes. There is no one who can [RHQ] stop him from doing what he desires. Whatever he wants to do, he does.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 23:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 23:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/ה֣וּא
בְ֭/אֶחָד
וּ/מִ֣י
יְשִׁיבֶ֑/נּוּ
וְ/נַפְשׁ֖/וֹ
אִוְּתָ֣ה
וַ/יָּֽעַשׂ
וְ/ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
בְ֭/אֶחָד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
וּ/מִ֣י
mîy
H4310
who?
Conj | Part
יְשִׁיבֶ֑/נּוּ
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
וְ/נַפְשׁ֖/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
soul
Conj | N-cs | Suff
אִוְּתָ֣ה
ʼâvâh
H183
to desire
V-Piel-Perf-3fs
וַ/יָּֽעַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 23:13
וְ/ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
בְ֭/אֶחָד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
וּ/מִ֣י
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Conj | Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
יְשִׁיבֶ֑/נּוּ
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
וְ/נַפְשׁ֖/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
Conj | N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
אִוְּתָ֣ה
ʼâvâh
H183
"to desire"
V-Piel-Perf-3fs
To desire means to strongly wish for something, and can be used to describe physical or emotional longings. This word is used in the Bible to describe feelings of coveting or lusting after something.
Definition: 1) desire, incline, covet, wait longingly, wish, sigh, want, be greedy, prefer 1a) (Piel) to desire, crave (food and drink) 1b) (Hithpael) to desire, long for, lust after (of bodily appetites)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: covet, (greatly) desire, be desirous, long, lust (after). See also: Numbers 11:4; Psalms 132:13; Psalms 45:12.
וַ/יָּֽעַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
Study Notes — Job 23:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 23:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 23:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 23:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 23:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 23:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 23:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 23:13
- Cambridge Bible on Job 23:13
- Barnes' Notes on Job 23:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 23:13
- Sermons on Job 23:13
Context — Job Longs for God
11My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.
12I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
13But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.
14For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans. 15Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 115:3 | Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases. |
| 2 | Proverbs 19:21 | Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. |
| 3 | Isaiah 46:10 | I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ |
| 4 | Daniel 4:35 | All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” |
| 5 | Job 12:14 | What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released. |
| 6 | Ecclesiastes 3:14 | I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him. |
| 7 | Numbers 23:19–20 | God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it. |
| 8 | Psalms 135:6 | The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths. |
| 9 | Isaiah 14:24–27 | The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” This is the plan devised for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations. The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back? |
| 10 | Ecclesiastes 1:15 | What is crooked cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted. |
Job 23:13 Summary
[This verse means that God is always the same and doesn't change His mind or plans. He does what He wants, and no one can stop Him. This can be a little scary, but it's also comforting to know that God is in control and has a plan. As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, God's plans are to prosper us and give us hope for the future.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God is 'unchangeable'?
This means that God's nature, character, and plans are constant and unchanging, as seen in Psalm 102:27, where it says God does not change, and in Malachi 3:6, which states that God does not change, so you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
Can anyone oppose God's will?
According to Job 23:13, it is implied that no one can successfully oppose God's will, as it also says in Psalm 115:3 that God does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, and no one can stop Him.
Does God do whatever He wants without reason or justice?
While Job 23:13 says God does what He desires, it's also important to remember that God is just and righteous, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4, which says God is a rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.
How should we respond to God's unchangeable nature and sovereign will?
We should respond with humility, trust, and obedience, recognizing God's sovereignty and submitting to His will, as seen in Romans 11:33-36, which encourages us to trust in God's wisdom and ways.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to oppose God's will, and how can I surrender to His sovereignty?
- How does the fact that God is unchangeable bring me comfort and reassurance in difficult times?
- In what ways can I trust in God's goodness and justice, even when I don't understand His ways?
- What are some things I can do to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God's power and majesty?
Gill's Exposition on Job 23:13
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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 23:13
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. In one mind - notwithstanding my innocence, He is unaltered in His purpose of proving me guilty. Who can turn him? - (Job 9:12).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 23:13
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 , 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.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 23:13
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," Exodus 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] Id est, Cupit ac facit statim; eius voluntas est executio; that is, he desireth and doth it forthwith; his will is present execution. It is his pleasure to lay load of afflictions upon me, but wherefore it is I know not. But Job should have known that as God is a most free agent, so his will is not only recta, (right) but regula; ( the law) neither may any man here presume to reprehend what he cannot comprehend.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 23:13
(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.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 23:13
Verse 13. But he is in one mind] The original is והוא באחד 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.
Cambridge Bible on Job 23:13
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.
Barnes' Notes on Job 23:13
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.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 23:13
13. He is in one — The á(in) is beth essential — God is one and the same, unchangeable. His determinations he carries into execution.
Sermons on Job 23:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 2. Where Job Went Wrong by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Job and explores where Job went wrong in his understanding of God's moral philosophy. The speaker explains that the ancient Orien |
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Predestination by Thomas Bradbury | Thomas Bradbury preaches on the unfailing mercy and inexhaustible patience of God towards His wayward children, highlighting His gracious dealings in restoring, saving, and deliver |
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Change Is the Law of Life by Bishop M.A. Lalachan | Bishop M.A. Lalachan emphasizes the inevitability of change in life, cautioning against dwelling solely on the past or present to avoid missing out on the future. Quoting Psalm 102 |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 11:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of seeking a face-to-face encounter with God. He emphasizes the need for believers to have a personal relationship with |
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The Holiness of God by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the absolute holiness of God, asserting that no fallen creature can achieve acceptance with Him through their own actions, as even the best human efforts are t |
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The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the sovereignty of God as a foundational truth that has been neglected in contemporary discourse. He explains that God's sovereignty signifies His supremacy, k |
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Vision of the Throne by Denis Lyle | Denis Lyle preaches on the importance of true spiritual worship, emphasizing the need to worship God by recognizing His worth and glory. The sermon delves into Revelation 4-5 to un |