Job 34:25

KJV

Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore he knoweth {H5234} their works {H4566}, and he overturneth {H2015} them in the night {H3915}, so that they are destroyed {H1792}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, aware of what they are doing, he overturns them by night, and they are crushed.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

American Standard Version

Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 34:25, a declaration by Elihu, powerfully asserts God's absolute omniscience and unwavering justice. It reveals that the Almighty possesses intimate, comprehensive knowledge of all human actions, particularly those of the wicked, and that He is fully capable and certain to execute swift, decisive, and complete judgment upon them. This verse underscores the inescapable accountability of all individuals before a sovereign God who neither overlooks nor tolerates unrighteousness, ensuring that no deed, however concealed, escapes His divine scrutiny and eventual retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Elihu's lengthy discourse, spanning chapters 32-37 of the Book of Job. Elihu, the youngest and previously silent friend, steps forward to correct what he perceives as Job's self-righteousness and the inadequacy of the other friends' arguments. His primary aim is to vindicate God's character and justice, asserting His sovereignty and wisdom in dealing with humanity. In Job 34, Elihu systematically argues that God is just in all His ways, impartial in judgment, declaring that "He does not show partiality to princes or give preference to the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands" ([Job 34:19](/job/34-19 "Job 34:19 - God's Impartiality")). He emphasizes God's perfect knowledge, stating that "His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step" ([Job 34:21](/job/34-21 "Job 34:21 - God Sees All")). Verse 25 logically follows this premise, reinforcing that God's comprehensive knowledge of human deeds directly informs and enables His swift and just intervention, overturning the wicked precisely because He knows their works. This serves to counter Job's complaints of unmerited suffering by affirming God's active and righteous governance of the world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a masterpiece of wisdom literature, set in a patriarchal, presumably pre-Israelite, era. The cultural context reflects an ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice, where prosperity was often linked to righteousness and suffering to sin. However, Job challenges this simplistic retribution theology. Elihu, while upholding God's justice, attempts to offer a more nuanced perspective than Job's initial three friends, emphasizing God's inscrutable wisdom and His right to act sovereignly. The concept of a deity who "knows" and "overturns" is consistent with ancient Near Eastern divine kingship, where the king was expected to maintain order and justice, punishing evildoers. The "night" as a time for hidden deeds or sudden, unexpected events is a common motif in ancient literature, making God's judgment in the night particularly potent and inescapable, highlighting the vulnerability of those who believe their actions are hidden.
* **Key Themes:** Job 34:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Omniscience**, asserting that God's knowledge is not merely intellectual but deeply experiential and comprehensive, extending to every human "work" or deed. This underpins the theme of **Divine Justice**, as God's perfect knowledge ensures that His judgments are always righteous and precisely targeted, as He "rewards each person according to their conduct" ([Psalm 62:12](/psalms/62-12 "Psalm 62:12 - God Rewards According to Deeds")). Elihu's argument here is a strong defense of God's **Sovereignty**, demonstrating His active involvement in human affairs and His ultimate control over the destiny of individuals and nations, for "He sets up kings and depose them" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")). The verse also implicitly touches upon the theme of **Accountability**, reminding humanity that no action is hidden from God's gaze, aligning with the broader biblical teaching that all will give an account before Him, as seen in the New Testament declaration that "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God" ([Romans 14:12](/romans/14-12 "Romans 14:12 - Everyone Will Give an Account")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knoweth (Hebrew, _nâkar'_):** This primitive root signifies a deep, scrutinizing knowledge, looking intently at something. It implies not just intellectual awareness but a profound recognition, an intimate acquaintance, or even a caring regard. When applied to God, it conveys His comprehensive and discerning understanding of every detail, motive, and consequence of human actions. It emphasizes God's omnipresent and penetrative awareness, allowing for perfect discernment and righteous judgment of all "works."
* **overturneth (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** This primitive root means to turn about or over, by implication to change, overturn, or pervert. It is a powerful and vivid verb, often used in the Old Testament to describe a violent, complete reversal, overthrow, or destruction, such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Job 34:25, it conveys the idea of a sudden, decisive, and irreversible divine act of judgment that completely upends the status, prosperity, or even the very existence of the wicked.
* **night (Hebrew, _layil'_):** Properly referring to a twist away of the light, i.e., darkness, "night" here carries significant symbolic weight. It often represents a time of secrecy, vulnerability, or unexpectedness. For the wicked, it implies that judgment can come when they least expect it, perhaps when they feel most secure or when their deeds are hidden from human eyes. God's action in the "night" underscores the suddenness, inescapability, and perhaps the concealed nature of His judgment until it manifests.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore he knoweth their works":** This opening clause establishes the foundational premise for God's judgment: His perfect and comprehensive knowledge. The "therefore" links back to Elihu's preceding arguments about God's impartiality and active governance. God is not distant, unaware, or indifferent; He intimately knows every "work" (actions, deeds, conduct, even motives) of humanity, especially the wicked. This profound and experiential knowledge is the absolute basis for His righteous intervention and judgment.
* **"and he overturneth [them] in the night":** Building upon His perfect knowledge, God actively intervenes with decisive power. The verb "overturneth" signifies a violent, complete, and irreversible reversal or destruction, indicating a profound upheaval of the wicked's situation. The phrase "in the night" emphasizes the sudden, unexpected, and perhaps concealed nature of this divine action, suggesting that judgment can come when the wicked feel most secure or when their deeds are hidden from human view, making the divine intervention all the more startling and inescapable.
* **"so that they are destroyed":** This final clause states the ultimate and inevitable consequence of God's "overturning" action. The destruction is complete and absolute, indicating that God's judgment is not partial or temporary but brings about a definitive end to the wicked's power, prosperity, influence, or even their very existence. It underscores the thoroughness, finality, and devastating impact of divine retribution, leaving no room for recovery or escape.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's declaration in Job 34:25 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with force and clarity. The phrase "in the night" functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, symbolizing not only the literal darkness but, more profoundly, the unexpectedness, secrecy, and vulnerability associated with divine judgment. It suggests that God's retribution can strike when least anticipated, perhaps when the wicked feel most secure in their hidden deeds, highlighting the futility of human attempts to conceal sin from God. The verb "overturneth" (Hebrew _hâphak'_) is a strong **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (a violent, decisive overturning) to God, thereby emphasizing the active, direct, and powerful nature of His intervention in human affairs. Furthermore, the declaration that the wicked "are destroyed" can be seen as **Hyperbole**, underscoring the absolute and comprehensive nature of God's judgment, implying total ruin and eradication of their power or influence. Elihu's entire speech, including this verse, also serves as a form of **Rhetoric**, designed to persuade Job and the other friends of God's unquestionable justice and sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 34:25 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's active and righteous governance over His creation. It asserts that God's attributes of omniscience and omnipotence are not abstract concepts but are dynamically engaged in maintaining moral order. Because God knows all, He is perfectly equipped to administer justice, ensuring that no wickedness escapes His notice or His ultimate reckoning. This verse serves as a foundational statement about divine accountability, reminding humanity that every action is observed and will be judged by a God who is neither blind to sin nor hesitant to act. It provides a theological framework for understanding suffering and prosperity, not always as direct retribution, but always within the context of a just God who ultimately rights all wrongs and ensures that justice will prevail, even if delayed from a human perspective.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "God's Omnipresence and Omniscience")
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "The Eyes of the Lord are Everywhere")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:2-3](/1_thessalonians/5-2-3 "The Day of the Lord Comes Like a Thief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 34:25 offers profound insights for contemporary believers and a general audience. It serves as a potent reminder of our inherent accountability before a God who sees and knows all. For those who walk in integrity, this truth brings immense comfort, assuring them that God is aware of all injustices and will ultimately vindicate the righteous. It encourages perseverance in doing good, even when unseen or unrewarded by human standards, knowing that God's perfect knowledge guarantees His eventual justice. Conversely, for those who might be tempted to engage in hidden sins or unrighteous deeds, this verse stands as a solemn warning. The "night" signifies that judgment can come unexpectedly and comprehensively, revealing that no secret is truly hidden from the Almighty. This should cultivate a deep sense of reverent fear and motivate a life lived in conscious awareness of God's omnipresent gaze, fostering genuine repentance and a pursuit of holiness in all areas of life, recognizing that true security is found not in hiddenness, but in living openly before God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's comprehensive knowledge of our "works" impact your daily choices and secret thoughts?**
* **In what ways does the concept of God "overturning" the wicked in the "night" offer comfort or challenge to your understanding of divine justice?**
* **How can this verse encourage you to trust God's timing and methods for justice, even when you don't see immediate consequences for wrongdoing?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more consciously before the all-seeing eyes of God, knowing that nothing is hidden from Him?**

### FAQ
**Who is Elihu in the Book of Job, and why is his perspective important here?**

Answer: Elihu is the youngest of Job's four friends, introduced in [Job 32:2](/job/32-2 "Elihu's Anger Burns Hot"). He had remained silent during the long debates between Job and the other three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) but then erupts with his own lengthy discourse (chapters 32-37). Elihu claims to speak for God, offering a more refined theological argument than the previous friends. He criticizes both Job for presuming to question God's justice and the other friends for failing to adequately defend God. His perspective is important because he emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, wisdom, and justice, arguing that God is beyond reproach and that suffering, even for the righteous, can be a means of purification or a demonstration of God's inscrutable ways, not solely a direct punishment for sin. Job 34:25 is a key part of his argument for God's righteous governance, asserting God's active involvement in human affairs.

**What does "overturneth [them] in the night" specifically imply about God's judgment?**

Answer: The phrase "overturneth [them] in the night" carries significant implications about the nature of God's judgment. "Overturneth" (Hebrew _hâphak'_) suggests a violent, complete, and irreversible reversal or destruction, akin to the overthrow of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah, as described in [Genesis 19:25](/genesis/19-25 "Overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah"). The addition of "in the night" emphasizes the suddenness and unexpectedness of this judgment. It implies that judgment can come when the wicked least anticipate it, perhaps when they feel most secure, when their deeds are hidden in darkness, or when they believe they are beyond detection. This imagery underscores that God's justice is not delayed indefinitely, nor is it constrained by human perception; it can strike swiftly and decisively, bringing about total destruction or ruin for those who persist in wickedness, revealing that no secret sin remains hidden from the Almighty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Elihu's words in Job 34:25 speak of God's knowledge and judgment in the Old Testament context, they find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The divine omniscience that "knoweth their works" is perfectly embodied in Christ, who is God incarnate. He is the one who truly knows the hearts and deeds of all humanity, for "nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "All Things Open to God")). Jesus Himself declared that men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil, and that "everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed" ([John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "Love of Darkness Over Light")). Yet, Christ is also the ultimate "overturner" of the works of darkness. Through His death and resurrection, He decisively "overturned" the power of sin and death, destroying "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). He will return as the righteous Judge to "overturn" all unrighteousness, bringing about the final destruction of evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "night" of unexpected judgment for the wicked will culminate in the "Day of the Lord," when Christ will judge the living and the dead, for "He has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed" ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "God Will Judge the World Through Jesus")). Thus, Job 34:25 foreshadows the comprehensive knowledge and decisive, redemptive judgment exercised by the Lamb of God, who alone is worthy to execute justice and bring light to every hidden corner.

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

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.

Psalms 33:15

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Song Of Solomon 3:8

They all hold swords, [being] expert in war: every man [hath] his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

Hosea 7:2

And they consider not in their hearts [that] I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Isaiah 15:1

¶ The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence;

Isaiah 66:18

For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.