Job 34:23

KJV

For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he should enter into judgment with God.

KJV (with Strong's)

For he will not lay {H7760} upon man {H376} more than right; that he should enter {H1980} into judgment {H4941} with God {H410}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for he doesn't give warning to people when they must appear before God in judgment.

Berean Standard Bible

For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.

American Standard Version

For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 34:23, part of Elihu's discourse, asserts God's absolute righteousness and justice, unequivocally stating that the Almighty never imposes burdens unjustly or beyond what is right. This verse directly challenges Job's repeated desire to contend with God, emphasizing that the Creator is the supreme Judge, not one to be summoned or questioned in a human court of law. Elihu argues that God's actions are always just and proportionate, even if inscrutable to finite human understanding, thereby defending divine sovereignty against any human accusation of wrongdoing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 34:23 is situated within Elihu's first major speech, spanning [Job 32-37](/job/32 "Job 32-37 - Elihu's Speeches"). Elihu, a younger man who has patiently listened to the arguments of Job and his three friends, now steps forward to offer his own perspective, believing both Job and his friends have erred. In [Job 34](/job/34 "Job 34 - Elihu's Defense of God's Justice"), Elihu directly addresses Job's complaints, particularly Job's persistent lament that God has treated him unjustly and his fervent desire to present his case before God (e.g., [Job 13:3](/job/13-3 "Job 13:3 - Job's Desire to Reason with God") and [Job 23:3-4](/job/23-3 "Job 23:3-4 - Job's Longing for God's Presence")). Elihu's core argument in this chapter is that God is too great and righteous to act wickedly or pervert justice. Verse 23 serves as a direct refutation of Job's implied accusation that God has overstepped His bounds or acted arbitrarily, firmly stating that God is not subject to human judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, a region where the concept of divine justice was central to religious and societal understanding. While the prevailing wisdom often linked suffering directly to sin (a view held by Job's friends), Job's experience challenges this simplistic correlation. Elihu, though offering a more nuanced defense of God than the three friends, still operates within this framework of divine retribution and justice. The idea of "entering into judgment" (Hebrew: *lavo mishpat*) evokes the imagery of a legal proceeding or a courtroom, a familiar concept in ANE societies where disputes were settled before judges. The cultural audacity of a human attempting to put a deity on trial would have been profoundly shocking, reinforcing the absolute hierarchical distinction between Creator and creature. Elihu's speech aims to restore the proper theological perspective, emphasizing God's unchallengeable authority and righteousness.
* **Key Themes:** Job 34:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Justice and Equity** of God, asserting that He "will not lay upon man more [than right]." This means God's dealings are always fair, proportionate, and ultimately righteous, even when their reasons are hidden from human sight. Secondly, the verse highlights God's **Unquestionable Sovereignty and Authority**. The phrase "that he should enter into judgment with God" emphatically declares that God is the supreme Judge, accountable to no one, and certainly not to humanity. This directly counters Job's desire to put God on trial, affirming God's absolute autonomy. Thirdly, it implicitly points to **Man's Limited Perspective and Humility**. Humans, with their finite understanding, are inherently incapable of comprehending the infinite wisdom and perfect justice of God, making any attempt to judge Him presumptuous and futile. This theme is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"), where God's thoughts and ways are declared to be infinitely higher than humanity's.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lay upon (Hebrew, שׂוּם _sum_):** This verb means "to put," "to place," "to set," or "to appoint." In this context, it carries the nuance of imposing a burden, a task, or a judgment. Elihu uses it to convey that God does not arbitrarily or unjustly "place" or "impose" suffering or a burden upon humanity that is beyond what is right or deserved. The implication is that any burden God allows is purposeful and just.
* **more [than right] (KJV bracketed clarification):** While the Hebrew text does not explicitly contain the words "than right," the KJV translators correctly infer this meaning from the context. The phrase "he will not lay upon man" implies a limit or a standard. The full thought is that God does not impose an undue, excessive, or unjust burden. His actions are always in accordance with His perfect standard of righteousness.
* **enter into judgment (Hebrew, לָבוֹא מִשְׁפָּט עִם־אֵל _lavo mishpat im-El_):** This phrase literally means "to come into judgment with God" or "to contend in judgment with God." It vividly portrays a legal confrontation, where one party seeks to put another on trial. Elihu's point is that it is fundamentally impossible and improper for a creature to summon its Creator to a legal dispute, demanding justification for His actions. God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, not a defendant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he will not lay upon man more [than right]":** This clause establishes God's inherent fairness and proportionality in His dealings with humanity. It asserts that God never imposes an unjust or excessive burden, suffering, or punishment. Even when His actions seem severe or inscrutable to human eyes, they are always consistent with His perfect righteousness and wisdom. This directly counters Job's perception that he has been unjustly afflicted, suggesting that whatever God permits is within the bounds of His righteous governance.
* **"that he should enter into judgment with God":** This second clause explains the consequence or reason for the first: because God does not act unjustly, there is no legitimate basis for humanity to challenge Him in a legal sense. God is the supreme Judge, not a co-equal party to be put on trial by His creation. This highlights the vast chasm between the finite understanding of humanity and the infinite wisdom and sovereignty of God, making any attempt to contend with Him in judgment utterly presumptuous and futile.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's statement in Job 34:23 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful theological message. Primarily, it uses **Assertion** to declare an undeniable truth about God's character and authority, presented as a foundational principle of divine justice. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** by implicitly setting God's perfect, unquestionable judgment against humanity's limited, often flawed, understanding and presumptuous desire to challenge the divine. There is an element of **Rhetorical Argumentation** as Elihu builds his case against Job's complaints, using this verse as a definitive statement on God's unassailable position. Furthermore, the vivid imagery of "entering into judgment with God" functions as a **Metaphor** for challenging divine authority, drawing on the familiar legal proceedings of the ancient world to illustrate the impropriety of such an act. The overall tone is **Didactic**, as Elihu seeks to instruct Job and the others on the proper understanding of God's ways.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 34:23 profoundly articulates the biblical doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty and unblemished justice. It affirms that God's character is inherently righteous, meaning He cannot act wickedly or pervert justice. This truth provides a crucial anchor in times of suffering, reminding believers that even when circumstances are incomprehensible, God's dealings are always just and purposeful, never arbitrary or malicious. The verse calls humanity to a posture of humility and trust, recognizing that the Creator is not accountable to His creation, but rather the ultimate Judge of all. Our finite minds cannot fully grasp the infinite wisdom and righteous purposes of God, and therefore, our proper response to His mysterious ways is not to accuse Him, but to submit to His perfect will.

* [Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges the World in Righteousness")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")
* [Romans 9:20-21](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20-21 - The Potter and the Clay")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 34:23 offers both profound comfort and a challenging call to humility for the modern believer. In a world fraught with suffering and injustice, this verse reassures us that God is not capricious, cruel, or arbitrary in His dealings. He "will not lay upon man more [than right]," meaning that whatever trials or burdens we face, they are permitted within the bounds of His perfect wisdom and justice, serving a righteous purpose known fully only to Him. This truth invites us to relinquish the human tendency to question God's fairness when circumstances are difficult, and instead, to rest in His unchanging character. The latter part of the verse, "that he should enter into judgment with God," serves as a potent reminder of our proper place before the Almighty. We are not to summon God to our human court of understanding or demand explanations for His sovereign actions. Instead, we are called to cultivate a spirit of profound trust and submission, acknowledging that God's ways are higher, His wisdom unfathomable, and His justice impeccable, even when veiled in mystery. This perspective fosters resilience, encouraging us to endure trials with faith rather than despair, knowing that the Judge of all the earth will always do what is right.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my natural inclination to question God's justice or fairness when I experience suffering or see injustice in the world?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be subtly attempting to "enter into judgment with God," perhaps by demanding answers or questioning His wisdom?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign justice, even when His purposes are not immediately clear to me?**

### FAQ
**Is Elihu's perspective in Job 34:23 entirely accurate in the context of Job's suffering?**

Answer: While Elihu correctly asserts God's absolute righteousness and sovereignty, his application of this truth to Job's specific situation is incomplete. Elihu rightly defends God's character, stating that God does not act unjustly or allow humanity to put Him on trial. This theological premise is sound. However, like Job's other friends, Elihu still operates within the traditional framework that suffering is primarily a direct consequence of sin. He assumes Job must be guilty of some hidden transgression for God to "lay upon" him such burdens. The book of Job ultimately reveals that Job's suffering was not due to sin, but was part of a divine test, demonstrating God's sovereign purposes beyond human comprehension. So, while Elihu's statement about God's justice is true, his explanation for *why* Job suffered is flawed, reflecting the limitations of human wisdom in understanding divine purposes, a theme ultimately addressed by God Himself in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38-41 - God's Response to Job").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 34:23, with its declaration that God "will not lay upon man more [than right]" and that man cannot "enter into judgment with God," finds its profoundest fulfillment and redefinition in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, indeed, has no standing to contend with a perfectly righteous God, for all have sinned and fall short of His glory ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, in an astonishing act of divine grace, God Himself "entered into judgment" on our behalf through His Son. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), voluntarily bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment for sin, becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The "burden" laid upon Christ was infinitely "more than right" for any human to bear, yet He bore it perfectly, satisfying divine justice. Through His atoning sacrifice, the seemingly unbridgeable gap between a holy God and sinful humanity is bridged, not by our ability to contend with God, but by God's provision of a perfect Mediator. Now, because of Christ, believers are no longer under condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")) and can approach God's throne of grace with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")), not to enter into judgment with Him, but to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 119:137

¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.

Romans 9:20

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed [it], Why hast thou made me thus?

Daniel 9:7

O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

Daniel 9:9

To the Lord our God [belong] mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

Ezra 9:13

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us [such] deliverance as this;

Jeremiah 2:5

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Job 9:32

For [he is] not a man, as I [am, that] I should answer him, [and] we should come together in judgment.