Job 13:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”
King James Version (KJV)
This study note uses an AI-assisted editorial workflow with source, duplication, and quality checks. See how verse explanations are prepared.
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Context of Job 13:15
In the midst of answering his three friends, Job turns from arguing with them to declaring his resolve to bring his case before God directly, trusting Him even at the risk of his life.
What Does Job 13:15 Mean?
Job 13:15 is one of the boldest declarations of faith in all of Scripture: even if God takes his life, Job will still trust Him. Job has been hammered by his friends' accusations and crushed by loss, yet here he plants his confidence in God Himself rather than in his circumstances. This is faith stripped down to its core, a faith that clings to God even when He seems to have become the source of the suffering, holding on regardless of whether things will turn out comfortably. Job has nowhere else to turn, and rather than turning away, he turns toward the very One he cannot understand.
The second half of the verse is just as important: "but I will maintain mine own ways before him." Job's trust does not silence his honesty. He insists on bringing his case directly to God, defending his integrity rather than confessing to sins he has not committed. This combination is remarkable: deep submission and bold appeal living together in one heart. Job shows that trusting God does not require pretending you have no questions or suppressing your protest. He holds fast to God while still longing to be heard by Him. Faith and frank speech, reverence and raw honesty, stand side by side in this single verse.
Job 13:15 in the Original Language
The verb "trust" here renders yachal, often meaning to wait expectantly or hope; some manuscripts read the line as bold hope, others as defiant resolve. "Maintain" (yakach) means to argue or defend one's case.
Bible Verses Related to Job 13:15
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;”
- Psalm 23:4
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom... Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
- Habakkuk 3:17-18
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Romans 8:38-39
How to Apply Job 13:15 Today
When God seems distant or even against you, Job invites you to keep trusting Him while still bringing your honest questions and protests directly to Him in prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 13:15
What does "though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" mean?
It means Job resolves to keep trusting God even if it costs him his life. His confidence rests in God's person, not in escaping suffering.
Is Job being defiant toward God in this verse?
He combines deep trust with bold honesty. Job submits to God while still insisting on defending his integrity, showing that faith can coexist with frank appeal.