Job 34:20

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.

In a moment {H7281} shall they die {H4191}, and the people {H5971} shall be troubled {H1607} at midnight {H2676}{H3915}, and pass away {H5674}: and the mighty {H47} shall be taken away {H5493} without hand {H3027}.

They may die in a moment, in the middle of the night -the people are shaken and pass away, the mighty are removed without human hands.

They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.

Context

This verse is part of Elihu's discourse to Job and his three friends. Elihu, a younger man, steps forward claiming to speak with divine wisdom, aiming to correct both Job's self-justification and the friends' rigid theology. In Job 34:19, Elihu emphasizes God's impartiality, stating that He shows no partiality to princes or the rich. Building on this, verse 20 serves to illustrate God's absolute sovereignty and swift justice over all humanity, particularly those in positions of power who might abuse it, underscoring that no one is beyond divine accountability.

Key Themes

  • Suddenness of Death and Judgment: The phrases "In a moment" and "at midnight" vividly convey the unpredictable and immediate nature of divine judgment and death. It suggests that individuals, regardless of their status, can be swiftly removed from the earth when God wills it, often without warning, catching them off guard like an event in the dead of night.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The powerful declaration "and the mighty shall be taken away without hand" highlights God's absolute control over life and death. The Hebrew phrase b'lo-yad (בְּלֹא־יָֽד), meaning "without hand," signifies that no human agency or intervention is needed; God's power alone is sufficient to remove even the most formidable individuals. This emphasizes God's effortless and irresistible authority over all creation.
  • God's Impartial Justice: This verse reinforces Elihu's argument that God is not swayed by wealth, status, or power. The same swift end can come to the mighty as to anyone else, demonstrating God's consistent and equitable justice across all societal strata. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's righteousness, where He shows no partiality.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "without hand" translates the Hebrew b'lo-yad (בְּלֹא־יָֽד). This idiomatic expression is crucial for understanding the verse's emphasis. It does not mean "without human effort" but rather "without human intervention" or "not by human means." It strongly implies a direct, supernatural, or divine action. This highlights that God's power is inherent and does not require any external tool or human agent to execute His will, especially in judgment.

Practical Application

Job 34:20 serves as a profound reminder of several truths for believers today:

  • Humility and Mortality: It calls all people, especially those in positions of influence, to humility. Earthly power, wealth, and status are transient. Life itself is fleeting, and our ultimate fate rests in God's hands, not our own. This can prompt us to number our days and live wisely.
  • Trust in Divine Justice: When we observe injustice or the apparent prosperity of the wicked, this verse assures us that God sees and acts. His timing may not be ours, but His justice is certain and can be executed swiftly and decisively. It encourages trust in God's ultimate plan for righteousness and accountability.
  • Urgency of Repentance: The "suddenness" of death and judgment underscores the urgency of living righteously and seeking God. There is no guarantee of tomorrow, making today the time to respond to God's call and live according to His will, as seen in parables like the rich fool in Luke 12:20.

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.

  • Job 36:20

    Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.

  • 1 Samuel 26:10

    David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

  • 1 Samuel 25:37

    But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became [as] a stone.

  • 1 Samuel 25:39

    And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

  • Daniel 2:34

    Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet [that were] of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  • 2 Peter 2:3

    ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
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