Job 34:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

[Should it be] according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Must his rewards meet your approval? Well, you are the one who doesn't like them, so you, not I, should pick the alternative; come on, say what you think!

Berean Standard Bible:

Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

American Standard Version:

Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense^{H7999} it, whether thou refuse^{{H3588}{H3988}}, or whether thou choose^{H977}; and not I: therefore speak^{H1696} what thou knowest^{H3045}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 34:33

Job 34:33 is part of the speech of Elihu, one of the friends who comes to dialogue with Job during his time of intense suffering. Elihu is the fourth friend to speak, and he presents himself as an arbiter, offering a new perspective in the debate about why Job is suffering. This verse is situated within a larger discourse where Elihu is asserting the justice and sovereignty of God over human affairs.

In this particular verse, Elihu challenges Job by asking, "Should it be according to thy mind?" This question confronts Job's possible presumption that he understands God's ways and can judge them. Elihu is emphasizing that God's justice operates independently of human approval or rejection ("whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose"). The verse conveys that God will render recompense according to His own wisdom and standards, not according to human desires or expectations. Elihu is essentially telling Job that he should speak only of what he truly knows, implying that Job does not fully comprehend the ways of God.

The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, but it is generally thought to be one of the oldest books in the Bible, possibly written during the second millennium BCE. The themes of the book include the nature of suffering, the problem of evil, the limits of human wisdom in contrast to divine omniscience, and the proper human response to the inscrutable ways of God. Elihu's speeches, including Job 34:33, contribute to the book's exploration of these themes by defending God's justice and encouraging humility before the divine mystery.

In summary, Job 34:33 confronts the human tendency to judge God's actions by our own standards. It asserts God's sovereignty and the idea that God's justice will prevail regardless of human opinion. Elihu's words challenge Job to recognize the limitations of his knowledge and to trust in the wisdom and righteousness of God, even in the midst of unjust suffering.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7999
   There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַם
   Transliteration: shâlam
   Pronunciation: shaw-lam'
   Description: a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications); make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3588
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּי
   Transliteration: kîy
   Pronunciation: kee
   Description: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed; and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3988
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָאַס
   Transliteration: mâʼaç
   Pronunciation: maw-as'
   Description: a primitive root; to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear; abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reject, reprobate, [idiom] utterly, vile person.
   
4. Strong's Number: H977
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּחַר
   Transliteration: bâchar
   Pronunciation: baw-khar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.