Job 34:29

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:

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}:

"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,

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,

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

Job 34:29, spoken by Elihu, is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and unchallengeable power. Elihu, the youngest of Job’s interlocutors, asserts that God's actions, whether bringing peace or allowing distress, are beyond human interference or comprehension.

Context

This verse is part of Elihu's lengthy discourse (Job chapters 32-37), where he presents a more balanced, albeit still flawed, view of God's justice compared to Job's three friends. Elihu argues that God is righteous and just in all His dealings, even when His ways seem inscrutable to humanity. He rebukes Job for questioning God's integrity and emphasizes God's omnipotence and wisdom, suggesting that suffering can be corrective and not always punitive. Elihu believes God is too great to be questioned, and His control extends over all aspects of existence, from individual lives to entire nations.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The central message is God's ultimate control over all circumstances. When God grants "quietness" or peace, no one can disrupt it. Conversely, when He chooses to conceal His presence or purposes ("hideth his face"), no one can compel Him to reveal them or fully grasp His hidden hand. This underscores God's unassailable authority.
  • Inscrutability of God's Ways: The phrase "when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?" highlights the mystery of God's dealings. Sometimes God's presence or purpose is not immediately clear, and humanity cannot force understanding or revelation. This theme resonates with other biblical passages that speak of God's thoughts being higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9).
  • Universal Scope of God's Rule: The verse explicitly states "whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only," emphasizing that God's dominion is universal. His power and decisions affect both the grand scale of national destinies and the intimate details of individual lives. This reinforces the idea that nothing is outside of God's providential care or decree.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "hideth his face" is a common biblical idiom (Hebrew: satar panim) that signifies a withdrawal of favor, a sense of abandonment, or God's deliberate concealment of His presence or plan. It often implies a period of distress or unanswered prayer, where God seems distant. The contrast between "quietness" and the potential "trouble" that no one can make suggests God's absolute control over both peace and adversity.

Practical Application

For believers today, Job 34:29 offers profound comfort and challenge:

  • Trust in God's Unseen Hand: In times of peace, this verse reminds us that our stability comes from God. In times of trouble or when God seems silent, it encourages us to trust that His purposes are still at work, even when we cannot discern His plan.
  • Humility Before God: It calls for humility, acknowledging that we cannot fully comprehend God's ways or dictate His actions. Our role is to submit to His will, recognizing His ultimate wisdom and justice.
  • Resilience in Adversity: Knowing that God is sovereign over both quietness and His hidden face can provide strength. If God allows trouble, He is still in control, and no human force can ultimately thwart His will or destroy His people whom He protects.

This verse from Elihu serves as a reminder that God’s authority is supreme, His wisdom unfathomable, and His dealings with humanity, whether individually or nationally, are always purposeful, even when they are beyond our immediate understanding.

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

  • 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.
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