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.
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Elihu Appeals to the Wise

1
Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
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Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
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For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. ​
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Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

Job's Words Are Condemned

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For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. ​
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Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
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What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
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Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
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For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. ​

God Is Absolutely Righteous

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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. ​
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For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. ​
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Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
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Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
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If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; ​
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All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

God's Impartial Rule and Justice

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If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
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Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? ​
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Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
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How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands. ​
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In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
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For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
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There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. ​
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For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
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He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
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Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
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He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
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Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
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So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
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When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: ​
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That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. ​

A Call for Repentance

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Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: ​
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That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
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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. ​
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Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
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Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. ​
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My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. ​
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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.

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