What Does Job 13:7 Mean in the King James?
Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Saying something is “for God” does not make it true; the verse tests the truthfulness of the defense itself.
THE MEANING
The question meets any moment when God’s character is invoked to excuse words that distort what is true. Speech offered on God’s behalf can still be unjust and deceptive. A claimed purpose does not change what the words are doing.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a false claim becomes righteous when it is made in God’s defense.
THE ROOT
רְמִיָּה
remiyyāh
GROWS FROM
רמה
r-m-h
to deceive or act treacherously
“deceitfully” in this verse is remiyyāh. The word carries deception as an active way of dealing, not merely an incorrect statement. Beside “wickedly,” it exposes both the injustice in the speech and the deception by which it is carried.
ALSO GROWS
rāmāh: to deceive or deal treacherously
רָמָה
The verb shows deceit as an act, the work being done through the speech.
mirmāh: deceit or fraud
מִרְמָה
This related noun makes clear that the speech’s method is itself deceptive.
עַוְלָה
ʿawlāh
GROWS FROM
עול
ʿ-w-l
to act unjustly, twisting what is right
“wickedly” in this verse is ʿawlāh. The Hebrew word points to injustice, not just an offensive tone. Paired with deceit, it describes speech that both bends what is right and conceals that bending behind God’s name.
ALSO GROWS
ʿāwal: to act unjustly
עָוַל
The verb frames the wrong as something the speech does.
ʿāwēl: unjust or one who acts unjustly
עָוֵל
This related form connects the unjust act with the character of the one acting.
THE PATTERN
Speech that claims God’s authority remains accountable to truth and cannot use its purpose to excuse deception.
And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.THE THREAD
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.“Deceitfully” translates the same Hebrew word, רְמִיָּה (remiyyāh), found in Job 13:7. The razor image reveals what that deceit does: speech can cut while presenting itself as serving God.
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