Job34

Elihu begins by addressing wise men, refuting Job's claims of righteousness and God's injustice. He asserts God's absolute righteousness and power, stating that the Almighty never acts wickedly or perverts judgment. Elihu emphasizes that God renders to each person according to their ways and sees all their actions, punishing the wicked without partiality.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Elihu Appeals to the Wise

1
Moreover Elihu answered and said,
2
Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3
For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food. ​
4
Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good.

Job's Words Are Condemned

5
For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right: ​
6
Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; My wound is incurable, though I amwithout transgression.
7
What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water,
8
Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men?
9
For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God. ​

God Is Absolutely Righteous

10
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. ​
11
For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways. ​
12
Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13
Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
14
If he set his heart upon himself, Ifhe gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; ​
15
All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

God's Impartial Rule and Justice

16
If nowthou hastunderstanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.
17
Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous and mighty?— ​
18
Himthat saith to a king, Thou art vile, Orto nobles, Ye arewicked;
19
That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands. ​
20
In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.
21
For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.
22
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. ​
23
For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
24
He breaketh in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.
25
Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26
He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
27
Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways:
28
So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.
29
When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man: ​
30
That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people. ​

A Call for Repentance

31
For hath any said unto God, I have bornechastisement, I will not offend any more: ​
32
That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?
33
Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest. ​
34
Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me:
35
Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom. ​
36
Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men. ​
37
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God.

Study Notes for Job 34

Verse 3

This verse uses a common poetic metaphor to encourage discernment, suggesting that just as the mouth tests food for quality, the mind must carefully evaluate the truth of the statements being made.

Verse 5

Elihu begins his critique by summarizing Job’s statements, accusing Job of claiming absolute righteousness while simultaneously charging God with injustice (cf. Job 9:20; 27:2).

Verse 9

Elihu interprets Job's despair as a statement that serving God or delighting in Him is ultimately futile since piety does not guarantee protection from suffering.

Verse 10

This is a fundamental theological assertion: God’s nature precludes Him from acting wickedly or committing iniquity. This serves as the bedrock for Elihu's entire defense of divine justice.

Verse 11

Elihu affirms the principle of divine retribution, arguing that God rewards or punishes human beings according to their actions. This directly challenges Job’s experience of innocent suffering.

Verse 14

This passage stresses God’s absolute sovereignty over creation. If God were to withdraw His life-giving Spirit and breath, all humanity would instantly perish and return to dust (cf. Ps. 104:29).

Verse 17

A rhetorical question asserting the necessity of justice in governance. If a ruler did not uphold right, they could not govern; therefore, God, the most just, must rule justly.

Verse 19

Elihu emphasizes God’s impartiality. Unlike corrupt earthly rulers who favor the rich or powerful, God judges all people equally, recognizing that all are equally His creation.

Verse 22

This verse affirms God's omniscience. No place, whether physical darkness or the 'shadow of death' (a poetic phrase for deep obscurity or despair), can hide the wicked from God’s sight.

Verse 29

This highlights God's absolute control over circumstances. Whether God grants peace or hides His face (a sign of displeasure), no human or national power can alter the divine decree.

Verse 30

The ultimate purpose of God’s intervention, even against nations, is often to prevent the reign of tyrannical or godless rulers ('hypocrites') who would corrupt the people.

Verse 31

Elihu suggests the proper response Job should have adopted: immediate submission, acceptance of chastisement, and a promise to cease offending God.

Verse 33

Elihu challenges Job directly: Job cannot dictate the terms of justice or compensation to God. God will judge according to His own wisdom, regardless of Job’s refusal or choice.

Verse 35

This is Elihu's central conclusion regarding Job’s arguments: they lack theological wisdom and are rooted in ignorance of God’s just character.

Verse 36

Elihu wishes for Job to continue being tested until he repents. He views Job’s defense of his own innocence as akin to taking the side of the wicked.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options