KJV ORIGINAL
Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Take your hand of punishment away from me, and don't let your terrifying presence make me afraid.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Job is asking God to stop punishing him and to remove the fear that God's overwhelming presence brings, so he can speak freely.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Job's response to his friends' accusations during his time of intense suffering, having lost his children, wealth, and health. Job is preparing to present his case directly to God, believing he can prove his innocence if given a fair hearing. In ancient times, approaching God was considered dangerous and fearsome, as God's holiness was thought to be overwhelming to sinful humans.
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