Job 34:28

KJV

So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

KJV (with Strong's)

So that they cause the cry {H6818} of the poor {H1800} to come {H935} unto him, and he heareth {H8085} the cry {H6818} of the afflicted {H6041}.

Complete Jewish Bible

thereby bringing before him the cries of the poor; and he hears the cries of the oppressed.

Berean Standard Bible

They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.

American Standard Version

So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 34:28, spoken by Elihu, profoundly articulates God's active, intimate, and just engagement with human suffering, particularly that of the vulnerable. It asserts that the desperate cries of the poor and afflicted, often arising from the oppressive actions of the wicked, ascend directly to God, who not only perceives their distress but is inherently attentive and responsive, underscoring His unwavering commitment to justice and His role as the ultimate defender of the marginalized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Elihu's extensive discourse (Job 32-37), where he emerges as a younger, more zealous voice attempting to reconcile Job's suffering with God's righteousness. Elihu challenges both Job's self-justification and the simplistic retribution theology of the three friends, arguing for God's absolute sovereignty, omniscience, and justice in all His dealings. He proposes that suffering can serve disciplinary or redemptive purposes, and that God actively governs the world, holding even the powerful accountable. Immediately preceding Job 34:28, Elihu emphasizes God's comprehensive oversight of human actions, stating that God's eyes are on the ways of mortals, seeing all their steps, and that He judges rulers and brings down the mighty without inquiry ([Job 34:21-27](/job/34-21-27 "Job 34:21-27 - God's Omniscience and Judgment of Rulers")). Verse 28 then serves as a direct consequence of such divine scrutiny and the wicked's oppressive rule, highlighting that their actions inevitably lead to the desperate cries of the poor, which God, in His perfect justice, hears and responds to.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the administration of justice was often a primary duty of kings or local elders, yet the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners frequently lacked powerful advocates and were susceptible to exploitation. The concept of a divine judge who hears the cries of the oppressed was a significant theological anchor, offering hope and recourse where human systems failed or were corrupt. Societies were typically stratified, and the vulnerable were particularly susceptible to economic hardship and social marginalization. The Old Testament consistently portrays God as the ultimate protector of these groups, establishing a covenantal expectation for His people to likewise champion the cause of the weak. This verse resonates deeply with the broader biblical understanding of God's character as one who champions the cause of the weak, reflecting a divine standard for justice that often contrasted sharply with the realities of ancient human governance.
* **Key Themes:** Job 34:28 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Justice and Intervention**, portraying God not as a distant, indifferent deity but as an active arbiter who hears and responds to injustice, a concept deeply embedded in Israelite faith, as seen in passages like [Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges the World Righteously") where God is depicted as judging the world in righteousness. It also highlights **God's Profound Care for the Vulnerable**, a consistent biblical motif that emphasizes His special attentiveness to the poor, the needy, and the oppressed, affirming that His ear is open to their distress and that He champions their cause. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Oppression**, serving as a solemn warning to those who exploit or neglect the marginalized, implying that their actions do not escape divine notice and will ultimately face accountability. This aligns with the broader theme of God's sovereignty over all human affairs, including the actions of the wicked, and His ultimate commitment to upholding righteousness on earth, even when human understanding of His methods is limited.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cry (Hebrew, _tsaʻăqâh'_):** This term (צַעֲקָה, H6818) denotes a loud, urgent, and desperate appeal for help or an outcry of distress. It is not merely a sound but an expression of profound suffering and a plea that demands immediate attention and intervention. Its use here emphasizes the severity of the affliction and the intensity of the victim's desperation, signifying a cry for divine intervention.
* **poor (Hebrew, _dal'_):** The Hebrew word (דַּל, H1800) refers to those who are properly "dangling," implying weakness, thinness, or economic impoverishment. It often describes individuals or groups who lack social standing, power, or resources, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation and hardship. It speaks to their physical and material destitution.
* **afflicted (Hebrew, _ʻânîy'_):** This term (עָנִי, H6041) describes those who are depressed, humble, suffering, or downtrodden, encompassing not just economic poverty but also social marginalization, oppression, and emotional distress. The pairing of _dal_ and _ʻânîy_ emphasizes the comprehensive vulnerability and suffering of those for whom God advocates, covering both material deprivation and the broader experience of oppression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him":** This clause directly links the actions of "they" (referring to the wicked or oppressive rulers Elihu has been discussing throughout Job 34) to the suffering of the vulnerable. Their misdeeds, injustices, and neglect are the direct cause of the desperate "cry" of the "poor." The phrase "to come unto him" signifies that this cry ascends directly to God Himself, indicating His immediate awareness and the direct appeal being made to His divine court. This highlights God's accessibility and the directness of the appeal from the oppressed to the Sovereign.
* **"and he heareth the cry of the afflicted":** This second clause provides the divine response. God is not merely a passive recipient of the cry; He "heareth" it. The Hebrew concept of "hearing" (שָׁמַע, _shâmaʻ_, H8085) often implies not just auditory perception but also attentive understanding, acknowledgment, and a readiness to respond or act. God's hearing of the "cry of the afflicted" (those who are oppressed and suffering) confirms His active engagement, empathy, and commitment to intervene on behalf of the downtrodden. It is a promise of divine attention and ultimate vindication.

#### Literary Devices
Job 34:28 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message regarding divine justice and compassion. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second half of the verse reiterates and reinforces the meaning of the first half using different words. "The cry of the poor" is paralleled by "the cry of the afflicted," and "cause...to come unto him" is paralleled by "he heareth." This repetition emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's attentiveness to all forms of suffering among the marginalized. Additionally, the verse uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing the human action of "hearing" to God. This is not to suggest God has physical ears, but rather to communicate His active engagement, awareness, and empathetic response to human suffering in a way that is relatable and understandable, assuring the reader of His personal involvement. Finally, there is a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship established: the oppression by the wicked (cause) leads to the desperate cries of the vulnerable (effect), which in turn elicits God's divine attention and implied intervention (divine effect). This structure highlights the moral order of the universe under God's governance, where injustice inevitably provokes a divine response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully encapsulates a core theological truth woven throughout Scripture: God is the ultimate defender and advocate for the poor, the oppressed, and the afflicted. His justice is not abstract but deeply personal and responsive to the cries of those who suffer injustice. This truth assures the vulnerable that their plight is not unseen or unheard by the Almighty, and it serves as a stark warning to those who abuse power or neglect the needy. God's character is consistently revealed as one who champions the cause of the weak against the strong, demonstrating His righteousness and compassion in actively intervening on behalf of the marginalized. It underscores the divine imperative for justice and compassion that should characterize His people.

* [Psalm 9:12](/psalms/9-12 "Psalm 9:12 - God Remembers the Afflicted")
* [Psalm 10:17-18](/psalms/10-17-18 "Psalm 10:17-18 - The Lord Hears the Desire of the Afflicted")
* [Proverbs 21:13](/proverbs/21-13 "Proverbs 21:13 - He Who Stops His Ears to the Cry of the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 34:28 offers profound encouragement to those who find themselves in situations of hardship, injustice, or oppression. It reminds us that our cries, even those we feel are unheard by the world, ascend directly to the throne of a just and compassionate God who not only hears but actively attends to our distress. This provides immense solace and hope, reinforcing the truth that God is intimately aware of our suffering and will ultimately act. For believers, this verse also serves as a powerful call to action. If God's ear is open to the cry of the poor and afflicted, then our ears and hearts should be open as well. We are called to emulate His character by actively listening to the marginalized, advocating for justice, and working to alleviate suffering in our communities. It compels us to consider how our actions, or inactions, might contribute to or alleviate the cries of those around us, reminding us of our ultimate accountability to a God who champions the cause of the vulnerable and expects His people to reflect His heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I actively listen for the "cry of the poor and afflicted" in my own community or in the broader world?**
* **How might my daily choices and actions either contribute to or alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable?**
* **What practical steps can I take to be an advocate for justice and a voice for the voiceless, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed?**

### FAQ
**Why is Elihu's perspective on God's justice important in the book of Job?**

Answer: Elihu's discourse (Job 32-37) is crucial because he offers a more nuanced and sophisticated defense of God's justice than Job's other friends. While Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar clung to a rigid, simplistic retribution theology (suffering equals sin), Elihu introduces the idea that God's ways are beyond human comprehension, that suffering can be disciplinary, a means of purification, or even a way for God to speak to humanity. In Job 34:28, he corrects Job's perception that God is indifferent or unjust by emphasizing God's active governance, omniscience, and unwavering commitment to hearing and responding to the cries of the oppressed. Elihu highlights God's justice as being not just punitive but also redemptive and caring, particularly for the vulnerable, thus setting the stage for God's own majestic intervention in [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - The Lord Answers Job from the Whirlwind").

**Does this verse imply God always immediately intervenes when the poor cry out?**

Answer: While Job 34:28 assures us that God "heareth" the cry of the afflicted, it does not promise immediate or always perceptible intervention in human terms. The book of Job itself demonstrates that suffering can be prolonged and God's timing and methods are often mysterious to humanity. However, the verse profoundly guarantees God's awareness, attentiveness, and ultimate commitment to justice. It affirms that no cry of distress goes unnoticed by the divine, and that in His perfect timing and wisdom, God will ultimately act to bring about righteousness and vindication. It is a promise of ultimate justice and divine advocacy, even if the immediate circumstances do not change as quickly as one might hope. This perspective encourages enduring faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and goodness, even amidst ongoing suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 34:28 finds its most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate embodiment of God's attentive ear and compassionate heart for the poor and afflicted. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently identified with and ministered to the marginalized, the sick, the outcast, and the economically disadvantaged. His very mission, as proclaimed in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement"), was "to proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." He not only heard the cries of the afflicted but actively entered into their suffering, healing the sick ([Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Teaches, Preaches, and Heals")), feeding the hungry ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), and offering hope to the despairing ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life")). In His parables, such as the Good Samaritan ([Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25-37 "Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan")), He called His followers to actively respond to human suffering, demonstrating what it means to truly "hear" the cry of the afflicted. Ultimately, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross addresses the deepest affliction of humanity—sin—and provides the pathway to ultimate justice and restoration, ensuring that one day, all cries of pain and suffering will cease as He ushers in a new heaven and a new earth where God will wipe away every tear ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through Him, God's promise to hear the cry of the afflicted is eternally secured, culminating in a kingdom where righteousness dwells.

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

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Exodus 3:7

¶ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Job 35:9

¶ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

Exodus 3:9

Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

Exodus 22:23

If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

Exodus 22:27

For that [is] his covering only, it [is] his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I [am] gracious.