Job 13:15

The general meaning of Job 13:14 must be the same however the verse is construed, though it may be expressed in two ways, viz. either, Why should I painfully strive to preserve my life? or, I am ready to risk my life (or in both ways). Job 13:15 reads most naturally,

Behold he will slay me: I will not wait:

Yet will I defend my ways to his face.

The words "he will slay me" refer to what Job anticipates may be the result of his daring to maintain the rectitude of his life to God's face, as the second clause intimates. These two clauses are in close connexion, and the words "I will not wait" are almost parenthetical behold he will slay me (I will not wait for a more distant death), notwithstanding I will defend, &c. Others refer the words "behold he will slay me" to Job's certainty of speedy death from his disease. And again, some render the words "I will not wait," I have no hope; and thus a variety of meanings all more or less suitable arises. The word to waithardly has the sense of to hope, at least in this Book, cf. ch. Job 6:11; Job 14:14; Job 29:21; Job 30:26, and in another form in the mouth of Elihu, ch. Job 32:11; Job 32:16.

Instead of the word notbefore waitanother reading gives for him, or for it. This is the reading of many ancient versions; and the rendering of the Vulgate, etiamsi occiderit me in ipso sperabo, has been followed by most modern translations, as by our own. Such a sense, however, does not suit the connexion. If this readingbe adopted, some such sense must be given to the clause as that preferred by Delitzsch: Behold he will slay me I wait for him: only I will defend, &c.; that is, I wait for His final stroke.