Job 34:18

[Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?

Is it fit to say {H559} to a king {H4428}, Thou art wicked {H1100}? and to princes {H5081}, Ye are ungodly {H7563}?

who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

Himthat saith to a king, Thou art vile, Orto nobles, Ye arewicked;

Job 34:18 is a rhetorical question posed by Elihu, the youngest of Job’s three friends, as he begins his lengthy discourse. This verse serves as an analogy, setting the stage for Elihu’s defense of God's justice and sovereignty against Job's persistent complaints.

Context

In the book of Job, Elihu enters the conversation after Job and his three older friends have exhausted their arguments. Elihu believes both Job and his friends have been wrong: Job for questioning God's righteousness, and the friends for failing to adequately defend God. In chapter 34, Elihu asserts God's absolute power and impeccable justice. This particular verse uses a common societal understanding – that it is highly inappropriate and disrespectful to openly accuse an earthly king or prince of wickedness or ungodliness – to underscore how much more inappropriate it is for a mere human to accuse the Almighty God.

Key Themes

  • Respect for Authority: The verse highlights the established social order where challenging the moral character of a ruler was considered audacious and improper. This serves as a parallel to the ultimate authority of God.
  • God's Unquestionable Justice: Elihu's central argument is that God is inherently just and righteous in all His ways. Unlike human rulers who can be fallible, God cannot be accused of wickedness or ungodliness. This theme is foundational to Elihu's entire argument, emphasizing God's perfect character (see Deuteronomy 32:4).
  • Human Presumption: By drawing this analogy, Elihu subtly rebukes Job for what he perceives as Job's arrogant presumption in challenging God's divine actions and wisdom. It questions the fitness of a creature to judge its Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's bracketed words, "[Is it fit]" and "[Thou art]," are supplied for clarity; the Hebrew is more direct, forming a strong rhetorical question that expects a negative answer. The terms used for condemnation are significant:

  • "Wicked" (Hebrew: rasha - רָשָׁע): This term generally refers to someone who is guilty, unrighteous, or in the wrong, often in a legal or moral sense.
  • "Ungodly" (Hebrew: belial - בְּלִיַּעַל): This is a very strong term, often translated as "worthless," "wicked," or "lawless." It implies utter depravity and rebellion against what is right. To call a ruler 'belial' would be an extreme insult, suggesting they are utterly without value or principle. Elihu applies this same level of impropriety to Job's accusations against God.

Practical Application

Job 34:18 reminds us of the profound reverence due to God. While we are encouraged to bring our petitions and even our complaints before Him, we must do so with humility and an acknowledgment of His ultimate sovereignty and perfect justice. It teaches us:

  • Humility Before God: Our finite understanding cannot fully grasp God's infinite wisdom and ways. We are called to trust His character even when circumstances are perplexing (as in Isaiah 55:8).
  • Trust in Divine Providence: Even when we experience suffering or injustice, Elihu's argument (and ultimately the book of Job) points to a God who is always just, always righteous, and always in control, deserving of our unwavering trust rather than accusation.
  • Respect for Authority: The verse also implicitly reinforces the biblical principle of showing proper respect to earthly authorities, recognizing their God-ordained role, even as we uphold God's law above all human decrees (see Romans 13:1).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 22:28

    Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

  • Proverbs 17:26

    ¶ Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity.

  • Acts 23:5

    Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

  • Romans 13:7

    ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

  • Jude 1:8

    ¶ Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

  • Acts 23:3

    Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    ¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
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