Job 13:21withdraw your hand far from me; and don't let your terror make me afraid.
The setting
Job continues his legal challenge to God, using courtroom language. He's asking God to remove the overwhelming pressure and terror so they can have a fair conversation.
The emotion here: terrorized but refusing to back down
The original word
emah (אֵימָה) — overwhelming terror, dread that paralyzes, often used of God's awesome presence
Why it matters
Ancient Near Eastern law required accusers to appear in person — Job is demanding this of God
Read with care
What most readers miss in Job 13:21
Job isn't asking God to stop being God — just to dial down the terror so he can think clearly
Common misconceptionMany think Job is being rebellious, but he's actually showing incredible faith — he believes God is just enough to have this conversation.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Job 13:21
Bible Genome reading
Job 13:21 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Job 13:21 comes from the book of Job, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to Job. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the poetry genre of biblical literature. Key themes include fear, divine presence. Notable phrases: withdraw your hand; don't let your terror. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same anxious
“And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12
“The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"”
— Acts 19:15
“I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
— Acts 22:7
“When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is har…”
— Acts 26:14
Your reflection
What does Job 13:21 mean to you, today?
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