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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 23:13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/23-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/18_Job_23_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 23:13 - Job Longs for God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? 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He does whatever he pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But he <i>is</i> in one <i>mind</i>, and who can turn him? and <i>what</i> his soul desireth, even <i>that</i> he doeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“But He <i>is</i> unique, and who can make Him change? And <i>whatever</i> His soul desires, <i>that</i> He does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“But He is unique, and who can make Him turn? <i>Whatever</i> His soul desires, He does <i>it.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But He is unique and who can turn Him? And <i>what</i> His soul desires, that He does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But He is unique and who can turn Him? And <i>what</i> His soul desires, that He does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“But He is unique <i>and</i> unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And <i>what</i> His soul desires, that He does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he is unchangeable; who can oppose him? He does what he desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But he alone is God, and who can oppose him? God does as he pleases, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"But God is one of a kind. Who can make him change his mind? He does whatever he wants!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He never changes. No one can oppose him or stop him from doing what he wants to do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"But he is One—who can change him? He does whatever he wants to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He [is] in one [mind], "" And who turns Him back? And His soul has desired—and He does [it].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He is in one mind, And who doth turn Him back? And His soul hath desired -- and He doth it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he is in one, and who shall turn him back? and his soul desired, and he will do.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever is soul hath desired, that hath he done. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For he is alone, and no one is able to disturb his intention; and whatever his spirit wills, that he accomplishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But once he decides, who can contradict him? What he desires, that he does. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But he stands alone and who can dissuade him? What he desires, that he does.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But in return for one of these, what has he granted me? What his soul desires, even that he does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And in what one of these will he return to me, for his soul delights and he does it?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if too he has thus judged, who is he that has contradicted, for he has both willed <i>a thing</i> and done it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/23-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=3614" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/23.htm">Job Longs for God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">But He is unchangeable,</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ḇə·’e·ḥāḏ (Prep-b:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: ū·mî (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">and who</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yə·šî·ḇen·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms:: 3mse) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">can oppose Him?</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·yā·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">He does</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: wə·nap̄·šōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">what He</a> <a href="/hebrew/183.htm" title="183: ’iw·wə·ṯāh (V-Piel-Perf-3fs) -- To incline, desire. A primitive root; to wish for.">desires.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>For He carries out His decree against me, and He has many such plans.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a></span><br />I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3</a></span><br />Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-6.htm">Psalm 135:6</a></span><br />The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a></span><br />Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19-21</a></span><br />One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” / But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Ephesians 1:11</a></span><br />In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-24.htm">Isaiah 14:24</a></span><br />The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-27.htm">Isaiah 14:27</a></span><br />The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-37.htm">Lamentations 3:37-38</a></span><br />Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it? / Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-19.htm">Numbers 23:19</a></span><br />God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-6.htm">Malachi 3:6</a></span><br />“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a></span><br />Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Hebrews 6:17-18</a></span><br />So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. / Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-29.htm">1 Samuel 15:29</a></span><br />Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desires, even that he does.</p><p class="hdg">who can</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-12.htm">Job 9:12,13</a></b></br> Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/11-10.htm">Job 11:10</a></b></br> If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-14.htm">Job 12:14</a></b></br> Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.</p><p class="hdg">and what</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3</a></b></br> But our God <i>is</i> in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/135-6.htm">Psalm 135:6</a></b></br> Whatsoever the LORD pleased, <i>that</i> did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a></b></br> <i>There are</i> many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/22-17.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/job/17-12.htm">Changing</a> <a href="/job/21-14.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/job/21-14.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/job/20-20.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/job/7-2.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/job/22-27.htm">Effect</a> <a href="/job/14-13.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/job/21-31.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/job/21-3.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/job/23-6.htm">Oppose</a> <a href="/esther/9-13.htm">Pleases</a> <a href="/job/23-12.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/21-25.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/job/9-35.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/job/23-11.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-24.htm">Unchangeable</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-7.htm">Unique</a> <a href="/job/13-13.htm">Whatever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/28-23.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/psalms/34-1.htm">Changing</a> <a href="/job/24-15.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/psalms/34-12.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/job/35-6.htm">Effect</a> <a href="/job/26-10.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/job/24-22.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/job/23-14.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/psalms/38-20.htm">Oppose</a> <a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Pleases</a> <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/24-12.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/job/38-14.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/job/24-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Unchangeable</a> <a href="/songs/6-9.htm">Unique</a> <a href="/job/37-12.htm">Whatever</a><div class="vheading2">Job 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-1.htm">Job longs to appear before God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-6.htm">in confidence of his mercy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-8.htm">God, who is invisible, observes our ways</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-11.htm">Job's innocence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/23-13.htm">God's decree is immutable</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But He is unchangeable</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the immutability of God, a key attribute in Christian theology. The concept of God's unchangeability is rooted in passages like <a href="/malachi/3-6.htm">Malachi 3:6</a>, "For I the Lord do not change," and <a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a>, which speaks of God as having "no variation or shadow due to change." This attribute assures believers of God's consistent nature and faithfulness. In the context of Job, it underscores the idea that God's purposes and character remain constant despite human suffering and circumstances.<p><b>and who can oppose Him?</b><br>This rhetorical question highlights God's supreme authority and sovereignty. It echoes sentiments found in <a href="/isaiah/14-27.htm">Isaiah 14:27</a>, "For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?" and <a href="/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19-21</a>, where Paul discusses God's sovereign will. The phrase suggests that no human or spiritual force can thwart God's plans. In the cultural context of the Ancient Near East, where gods were often seen as capricious, this statement affirms the biblical view of a God whose will is irresistible and whose plans are unassailable.<p><b>He does what He desires.</b><br>This phrase speaks to the divine will and purpose of God, aligning with scriptures like <a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3</a>, "Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases." It reflects the belief that God's actions are not arbitrary but are in accordance with His perfect wisdom and purpose. Theologically, this ties into the doctrine of divine providence, where God is actively involved in the world, orchestrating events according to His will. This assurance is crucial for believers, as it provides confidence that God's plans are ultimately for good, even when they are beyond human understanding.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, enduring immense suffering and seeking to understand God's will.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty Creator, whose sovereignty and unchangeable nature are highlighted in this verse. Job acknowledges God's supreme authority and His ability to act according to His will.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_suffering.htm">Job's Suffering</a></b><br>The context of this verse is Job's response to his suffering and his struggle to comprehend God's purposes. Job is in a dialogue with his friends, defending his integrity and expressing his desire to present his case before God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_unchangeable_nature.htm">God's Unchangeable Nature</a></b><br>God's character and purposes are constant. In a world of change and uncertainty, believers can find stability and assurance in God's unchanging nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sovereignty_of_god.htm">Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God's will is supreme, and He acts according to His desires. This truth calls believers to trust in His wisdom and plan, even when circumstances are difficult to understand.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitation.htm">Human Limitation</a></b><br>Recognizing our limitations in understanding God's ways should lead us to humility and submission. We are reminded that we cannot oppose or fully comprehend His divine purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Even in suffering, believers are encouraged to trust that God is working out His purposes. Job's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty can inspire us to maintain faith during trials.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/response_to_suffering.htm">Response to Suffering</a></b><br>Job's response to his suffering teaches us to seek God earnestly and to express our struggles honestly, while ultimately submitting to His will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_23_13-14_imply_predestination.htm">Does Job 23:13-14 suggest predestination, and if so, how does that harmonize with other scriptures that emphasize human free will?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_argue_with_a_silent_god.htm">How can Job's claim in Job 23:3-5 that he would argue his case directly before God be reconciled with a supposedly omnipresent deity who remains silent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_reason_with_god_if_exodus_33_20.htm">In Job 13:3, how can Job claim he wants to reason directly with God if Exodus 33:20 states no one can see God and live?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_zophar_with_psalm_73.htm">How do we reconcile Zophar's rigid cause-and-effect theology in Job 20 with other biblical passages (like Psalm 73) that acknowledge the prosperity of the wicked without immediate judgment?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">He is one, or in one.</span>--Job either declares His unique sovereignty or His unchangeable purpose. The context seems to support the latter, in which case the sense given by the Authorised Version is correct.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But he is in one mind, and who can turn him?</span> Once more we hear the voice of complaint. The happier tone of thought which extends from ver. 6 to ver. 12 grows out of a sanguine hope on Job's part that God will bring him before his tribunal, and judge his cause according to righteousness. Now he bethinks himself that hitherto God, notwithstanding his prayers, has refused to summon him to his judgment-seat, and begins to fear that there is no likelihood of his changing. "He is One," or "in one." With him is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (<a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a>). How is it likely that he will act in the future otherwise than he has acts! in the past? <span class="cmt_word">What his soul desireth, even that he doeth</span>. A somewhat harsh way of saying that God doeth that which seemeth him best - and which, therefore, is best. Job does not really suppose that God is actuated by caprice or favouritism. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/23-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But He is unchangeable,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְה֣וּא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and who</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can oppose Him?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·šî·ḇen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He does</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּֽעַשׂ׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·‘aś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what He</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנַפְשׁ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nap̄·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">desires.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִוְּתָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iw·wə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_183.htm">Strong's 183: </a> </span><span class="str2">To incline, desire</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/23-13.htm">Job 23:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/23-13.htm">OT Poetry: Job 23:13 But he stands alone and who can (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/23-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 23:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 23:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/23-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 23:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 23:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>