The different textual views on Job 13:15 The textual difficulties and translation of this verse is the most disputed in the book. 13:15 Though he slay me, yet I will trust in Him- KJV Though He slay me, I will hope in Him- NASB God might kill me, but I have no other hope- NLT What does the Hebrew text say? In the main Hebrew text, the Codex Leningradensis, there is a negative lo, no before the verb hope. Some Hebrew manuscripts have lu, to Him, instead of no. Does the hen at the beginning of the verse mean behold or does it mean if in this context? Does the final verb mean trust (AV), wait (RV), hesitate (NEB), tremble The value of the NLT at this point is that it shows Job’s desperation. He does not think it will work, it is his only chance. Jewish rabbis throughout the centuries wrestled with the meeting. In the second century A.D. these words were written. Mishnah Sota 5. 5 On that same day Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hyrcanus taught: Job served the Holy One, Blessed be He, only out of love, as it is stated: “Though He will slay me, still I will trust in Him” (Job 13:15). And still, the matter is even, i.e., the verse is ambiguous, as there are two possible interpretations of the verse. Was Job saying: I will await Him, expressing his yearning for God; or should the verse be interpreted as saying I will not await Him. As the word “lo” can mean either “to him” or “not,” it is unclear which meaning is intended here. Which fits the context best? “How one resolves these ambiguities is as much a matter of context as text.”[1] While sometimes in textual questions the text is decisive, the contradictory evidence from the text itself may point to context as the most important way to answer this question. Contextually, which of these readings make more sense? There are writers who each appeal to the context and yet go in opposite directions. 13:15 Job will defend his ways to God’s face 13:16 If Job were a hypocrite would he put his life in jeopardy this way? This, along with vs. 18, sounds like he expects vindication. Even if this passage is positive, what is Job’s hope, is his hope to survive the trial or is his hope to be vindicated even if he does not survive this trial. The overall context of Job 12-14 is less positive. I am afraid some writers begin from the basis that Job has no hope of the afterlife. Then when we encounter a difficult passage they argue therefore that this could not be proof of the afterlife because Job has no belief in it. [1] Newsome, 435.
