Job 35:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elihu affirms that God does not heed empty, prideful cries that are not truly directed to Him.
What Does Job 35:13 Mean?
Elihu states the principle behind the unanswered cry: God will not 'hear vanity.' Empty words — complaint without faith, noise without genuine seeking — find no welcome before the Almighty. He is not moved by mere clamor but by the honest turning of a heart toward Him.
Far from making God seem aloof, this assures us that He cannot be manipulated and is never fooled by show. 'The LORD looketh on the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7), and what He regards is sincerity, not volume. The same God who will not hear vanity hears the faintest true prayer, even 'groanings which cannot be uttered' (Romans 8:26). The remedy is never to cry less, but to cry truly — to bring Him not performance but a real and trusting heart.
Job 35:13 in the Original Language
shav (שָׁוְא), 'vanity' -- emptiness or falsehood; words void of truth and sincere faith.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 35:13
What does Job 35:13 mean?
Elihu affirms that God does not heed empty, prideful cries that are not truly directed to Him.