Job 34:28

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Job 34:28 (KJV) states, "So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted." This powerful verse, spoken by Elihu, underscores God's active engagement with human suffering and His unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for the vulnerable.

Context

This verse is found within Elihu's discourse in the book of Job, specifically in chapter 34. Elihu, the youngest of Job's friends, presents a robust defense of God's righteousness and justice, aiming to correct Job's perception that God is indifferent or unjust in His dealings with humanity. Elihu emphasizes God's omniscient oversight of all human actions, stating that God sees everything (Job 34:21-22) and holds even the most powerful rulers accountable (Job 34:24-25). Verse 28 serves as a direct consequence of the wicked's oppressive actions, which inevitably lead to the desperate cries of the poor and afflicted. God, in His perfect justice, hears these cries and responds.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Intervention: The verse vividly portrays God as the ultimate arbiter of justice. He is not a passive observer of human affairs but actively listens to the pleas of the oppressed and intervenes on their behalf. This reinforces the biblical principle that God will judge the world in righteousness.
  • God's Profound Care for the Vulnerable: A consistent theme throughout Scripture is God's deep concern for the poor, the needy, and the afflicted. This verse emphasizes His attentiveness to their distress, portraying Him as their ultimate defender and refuge. His ear is open to the cries of the marginalized.
  • Consequences of Oppression: The actions of the wicked, which "cause the cry of the poor to come unto him," are directly linked to God's hearing and subsequent action. This serves as a solemn warning to oppressors that their deeds do not go unnoticed by the divine and will face divine accountability.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "cry" in this verse is tsa'aqah (ืฆึทืขึฒืงึธื”), which denotes a loud, urgent cry of distress or an appeal for help. It's a cry that demands attention, reflecting the severity of the suffering and the desperation of the one crying out. The terms "poor" (dal, ื“ึทึผืœ) and "afflicted" ('ani, ืขึธื ึดื™) are frequently paired in the Old Testament. Dal refers to those who are weak, lowly, or impoverished, while 'ani describes those who are oppressed, humble, or suffering. Their combined use underscores the depth of their vulnerability and the intensity of their plight before God.

Practical Application

For believers today, Job 34:28 offers both profound encouragement and a clear call to action:

  • Hope for the Oppressed: It provides immense solace and assurance to those who are suffering injustice or hardship, reminding them that their cries are heard by a just and compassionate God. This reinforces the truth that God is indeed a very present help in trouble.
  • A Call to Advocate for Justice: The verse implicitly challenges believers to emulate God's heart for the poor and afflicted. If God hears their cries, then His followers should also be attentive to and actively advocate for those who are marginalized and suffering, striving to alleviate their distress and promote justice in society. This resonates with the call to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
  • Ultimate Accountability: It serves as a powerful reminder that all actions, particularly those involving the treatment of others, are observed by God. There is ultimate accountability for how we treat the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

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

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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.
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