Job 34:29

KJV

When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth [his] face, who then can behold him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man only:

KJV (with Strong's)

When he giveth quietness {H8252}, who then can make trouble {H7561}? and when he hideth {H5641} his face {H6440}, who then can behold {H7789} him? whether it be done against a nation {H1471}, or against a man {H120} only {H3162}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"But if God is silent, who can accuse him; if he hides his face, who can see him? He may do this to nations and persons alike,

Berean Standard Bible

But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,

American Standard Version

When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 34:29, articulated by Elihu, stands as a profound declaration of God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over all creation and human affairs. This verse asserts that when God orchestrates peace and tranquility, no earthly power can disrupt it; conversely, when He chooses to conceal His presence or purposes, no one can force His revelation or fully comprehend His hidden hand. Elihu emphasizes that this divine dominion extends universally, encompassing the destinies of entire nations as well as the intimate details of individual lives, thereby underscoring God's ultimate control over both quietness and adversity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 34:29 is situated within Elihu's extensive discourse, spanning chapters 32-37. Elihu, the youngest of Job's four interlocutors, enters the debate after the three friends have exhausted their arguments and Job has continued to maintain his innocence while questioning God's justice. Elihu presents himself as a more balanced, though still ultimately flawed, interpreter of God's ways. His central argument is that God is inherently righteous, just, and omnipotent, and that suffering, while not always punitive, can serve a corrective or revelatory purpose. This particular verse encapsulates Elihu's core conviction that God's actions are beyond human scrutiny or interference, reinforcing his rebuke of Job for presuming to challenge the Almighty's integrity. It serves as a climactic statement of God's unassailable authority in the face of human complaint or misunderstanding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is a masterpiece of wisdom literature, set in a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic era, likely in the land of Uz (possibly Edom or northern Arabia). The cultural backdrop includes a prevalent "retribution theology," where suffering was often directly linked to sin, and prosperity to righteousness. Job's inexplicable suffering challenges this conventional wisdom. Elihu, while not entirely breaking from this framework, introduces nuances by suggesting that God's justice is more complex than simple cause-and-effect, and that His sovereignty operates on a scale far beyond human comprehension. The concept of a sovereign deity who controls all aspects of life, including peace and calamity, was common in the ancient Near East, but Job explores the ethical implications of this sovereignty when it appears to contradict human notions of justice. Elihu's speech, including this verse, reflects an attempt to reconcile God's absolute power with His perceived justice in a world where the righteous suffer.
* **Key Themes:** Job 34:29 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute and unquestionable control over all circumstances. Whether God grants peace or allows distress, His actions are ultimate and cannot be thwarted by human will or power. This underscores the theological truth that God's dominion is comprehensive, extending over both the grand sweep of history and the intimate details of individual lives, as seen in [God's control over all things](/psalms/103-19 "Psalm 103:19 - God's Sovereignty"). Closely related is the **Inscrutability of God's Ways**. The phrase "when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?" highlights the mystery inherent in God's dealings. There are times when God's presence, purpose, or favor is not immediately evident, and humanity lacks the capacity to force understanding or revelation, echoing the profound truth that [God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts](/isaiah/55-9 "Isaiah 55:9 - God's Higher Ways"). Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Universal Scope of God's Rule**, explicitly stating that His power applies "against a nation, or against a man only." This reinforces the idea that nothing is outside of God's providential care or decree, whether it concerns the rise and fall of empires or the personal trials of an individual, affirming that [He works all things according to the counsel of His will](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - God's Sovereign Plan").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Quietness (Hebrew, _shaqat'_):** This word denotes a state of peace, tranquility, rest, or cessation of disturbance. In the context of the verse, it refers to God's active bestowal of a secure and undisturbed condition. When God grants this "quietness," it is an unassailable state, impervious to human or external attempts to disrupt it.
* **Trouble (Hebrew, _ra'a'_):** While often translated as "evil," _ra'a'_ here encompasses calamity, distress, adversity, or misfortune. It stands in stark contrast to "quietness." The rhetorical question "who then can make trouble?" emphasizes that if God has ordained peace, no one possesses the power to introduce or create adversity that could undermine His established order.
* **Hideth his face (Hebrew, _satar panim'_):** This is a significant biblical idiom. "Satar" means to hide or conceal, and "panim" means face. When God "hides His face," it signifies a withdrawal of favor, a sense of abandonment, a deliberate concealment of His presence, or a withholding of His purpose or understanding from humanity. It often implies a period of distress, unanswered prayer, or divine judgment, where God seems distant or His ways inscrutable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?":** This opening clause posits a scenario where God actively bestows a state of peace and security. The rhetorical question that follows ("who then can make trouble?") serves to underscore the absolute and unchallengeable nature of this divine gift. If God is the source of quietness, no human or created power can successfully introduce or orchestrate disturbance against it. It highlights God's supreme authority over circumstances.
* **"and when he hideth [his] face, who then can behold him?":** This second clause presents a contrasting scenario: God's deliberate concealment or withdrawal. The subsequent rhetorical question ("who then can behold him?") emphasizes humanity's utter inability to penetrate God's hidden purposes or to compel His revelation. When God chooses to be inscrutable or to withdraw His favor, no human effort, wisdom, or plea can force Him to reveal Himself or His plans. It speaks to the profound mystery of God's ways and the limits of human understanding.
* **"whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man only:":** This concluding phrase broadens the scope of God's sovereignty to encompass all levels of existence. It explicitly states that God's unchallengeable power and His decisions—whether to grant quietness or to hide His face—apply universally. His dominion extends over the collective destinies of entire nations, influencing their peace or distress, as well as over the individual circumstances and experiences of a single person. This reinforces the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of divine providence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 34:29 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent are **Rhetorical Questions**, used twice ("who then can make trouble?" and "who then can behold him?"). These are not questions seeking information but are designed to elicit an obvious answer (none) and to powerfully emphasize the undeniable truth of God's absolute sovereignty and the futility of human opposition or comprehension. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **Antithetical Parallelism** in the first two clauses, contrasting "quietness" with God's "hidden face," and their respective unchallengeable outcomes. This highlights the dual aspects of God's control over both positive and seemingly negative circumstances. Furthermore, the phrase "hideth his face" is a powerful **Idiom**, a common biblical expression that vividly communicates divine withdrawal or judgment without literal interpretation. Finally, the structure of the verse, moving from individual to collective ("a nation, or against a man only"), demonstrates a form of **Merism** or **Comprehensive Scope**, indicating that God's rule is exhaustive and all-encompassing, leaving no realm outside His dominion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 34:29 articulates a fundamental theological truth about God's absolute sovereignty, a theme woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. It posits that God's will is ultimate and unassailable, whether He grants peace or allows periods of divine hiddenness. This verse challenges human attempts to control or fully comprehend God's actions, demanding humility and trust in His perfect wisdom and justice, even when His ways seem mysterious or contrary to human expectations. It connects to the broader biblical understanding that God is not merely powerful but also providentially involved in every detail of creation, orchestrating events for His ultimate purposes, which are often beyond our immediate grasp. This sovereignty is not arbitrary but is rooted in His holy character and serves His redemptive plan, even when it involves suffering or periods of apparent divine silence.

* [Psalm 46:10](/psalms/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still and Know God's Sovereignty")
* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Both Good and Calamity")
* [Romans 9:20](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20 - Who Are You to Argue with God?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 34:29 offers profound comfort and a challenging call to humility for believers. In times of peace and prosperity, this verse reminds us that our stability and quietness are not self-generated but are gracious gifts from God, which no human force can ultimately disrupt without His allowance. This fosters gratitude and a deeper reliance on His sustaining hand. Conversely, when we experience periods of trouble, adversity, or what feels like God's silence—when He "hideth His face"—the verse encourages us to trust that even then, He is sovereignly in control. Our inability to "behold Him" or fully understand His purposes in such moments is a call to humility, acknowledging the vast chasm between finite human understanding and infinite divine wisdom. It teaches us to persevere in faith, knowing that God's hiddenness is not absence, nor is His allowing of trouble a sign of His weakness. Instead, it is a reminder that His ways are higher, and His ultimate purposes are always at work, even when veiled. This perspective cultivates resilience, patience, and a deeper submission to God's will, fostering a faith that endures both the light and the shadow of His providence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's absolute sovereignty impact your response to unexpected peace or prolonged difficulty in your life?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to "make trouble" when God gives quietness, or to "behold Him" when He hides His face, and how can we resist these temptations?**
* **How does the universal scope of God's rule (over nations and individuals) shape your prayers and worldview regarding global events and personal struggles?**

### FAQ
**Does "hideth his face" imply God is uncaring or absent?**

Answer: No, the idiom "hideth his face" (Hebrew: _satar panim_) does not imply that God is uncaring or literally absent. Instead, it signifies a deliberate withdrawal of divine favor, a period of perceived distance, or a concealment of His purposes or presence from human understanding. In biblical contexts, this often occurs for corrective purposes, to test faith, or as a consequence of sin ([Deuteronomy 31:17](/deuteronomy/31-17 "Deuteronomy 31:17 - God Hides His Face in Judgment")). It highlights humanity's inability to comprehend God's ways fully or to force His hand. Even when God's face seems hidden, He remains sovereignly present and active, working His purposes, often in ways beyond our immediate perception ([Psalm 30:7](/psalms/30-7 "Psalm 30:7 - God's Favor and Hidden Face")).

**How does Elihu's perspective differ from Job's friends?**

Answer: Elihu's perspective, while still flawed, offers a more nuanced view than Job's three friends. Unlike Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who rigidly adhered to a retribution theology (suffering equals sin), Elihu introduces the idea that suffering can be corrective, a means of instruction, or a way for God to communicate with humanity, rather than solely punitive. He emphasizes God's absolute greatness, wisdom, and unchallengeable sovereignty ([Job 36:22-26](/job/36-22 "Job 36:22-26 - God's Greatness and Power")), rather than focusing on Job's supposed sin. Elihu also suggests that Job's questioning of God's justice is presumptuous, given God's infinite wisdom, a point that foreshadows God's own address to Job from the whirlwind. While still ultimately failing to fully grasp the mystery of Job's suffering, Elihu elevates the discussion by focusing more on God's character and less on human culpability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 34:29, with its declaration of God's unassailable sovereignty over both quietness and hiddenness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest revelation in Jesus Christ. He is the one through whom God's sovereign power is perfectly manifested and His mysterious ways are unveiled. When Christ walked the earth, He demonstrated divine authority over all "trouble," bringing true "quietness" to stormy seas ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), healing diseases, and casting out demons, ultimately offering a peace that the world cannot give ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Gift of Peace")). The profound truth of God's "hidden face" is most acutely felt in Christ's cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). In that moment, the Father's face was indeed hidden from the Son as He bore the sin of the world, yet this was not a sign of God's absence or uncaring nature, but the very apex of His sovereign plan for redemption ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Sovereign Plan for Christ's Death")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection, God's ultimate victory over trouble and the full revelation of His character are achieved. No longer is God's face entirely hidden; for in Christ, the "image of the invisible God," we can truly "behold Him" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God"); [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")). Thus, Job 34:29 points forward to the One who embodies God's sovereign power to grant peace and who, through His own experience of divine hiddenness, perfectly fulfills God's redemptive purposes for both nations and individuals.

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 23:13

¶ But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Romans 8:31

¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

Romans 8:34

Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Isaiah 32:17

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Psalms 27:9

Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.