What Does Job 14:13 Mean in the King James?
O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
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
The verb for “hide” can also mean “store up,” so Job’s plea makes even the grave a hidden interval held until a set time.
THE MEANING
The verse gives you language for wanting to be hidden in the grave until overwhelming anger passes, while still asking for a boundary around that interval. It leaves the grave’s severity intact; its last movement is a plea to be remembered.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that wanting to disappear means hope is gone: the speaker asks for concealment, but still asks for a limit and to be remembered.
THE ROOT
תַּצְפִּנֵנִי
tats'pinenî
GROWS FROM
צפן
tsaphan
hide, conceal, store up, treasure
“hide me” in this verse is tats'pinenî. The verb rendered “hide” also means “store up” or “treasure.” That does not make the grave less severe; it adds the possibility of being concealed for a time, which fits the request for a limit and later remembrance.
ALSO GROWS
tsaphan: hide, conceal; also store up or treasure
צָפַן
The verb names both concealment and storing, so Job’s request can carry the sense of being kept out of sight.
tsafun: hidden, concealed, kept in reserve
צָפוּן
This form describes what is held beyond sight, echoing Job’s plea for concealment until the appointed interval ends.
שׁוּב
shuv
GROWS FROM
שוב
shuv
turn back, return
The phrase translated “thy wrath be past” uses shuv, “turn” or “return.” The verse pictures the crisis through a change of direction: the anger turns, and the hidden interval has an end.
ALSO GROWS
shuv: turn back, return
שׁוּב
This is the verb in the phrase about the anger passing; its movement gives the waiting a turning point.
teshuvah: return, turning
תְּשׁוּבָה
This noun makes the same root’s motion explicit: what is turned away can come to a point of return.
וְתִזְכְּרֵנִי
vetizkereni
GROWS FROM
זכר
zakar
remember, recall, call to mind
“remember me” in this verse is vetizkereni. The branches of zakar include memorial and mention. Job’s prayer places a request for active regard at the far end of concealment.
ALSO GROWS
zikkaron: memorial, remembrance
זִכָּרוֹן
A memorial makes remembrance visible and lasting, echoing Job’s plea to remain in God’s regard.
hizkir: mention, bring to mind
הִזְכִּיר
This form connects remembering with calling someone or something to mind, giving the plea a relational edge.
THE PATTERN
Concealment and waiting can have a limit, while the plea for remembrance remains alive.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.THE THREAD
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?“Mindful of him” comes from זכר (zakar, “remember”), the same root as Job’s “remember me.” Psalm asks why a mortal remains in God’s regard; Job gives that longing its stark edge by asking to be remembered while hidden in Sheol.
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