Job 34:5

For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.

For Job {H347} hath said {H559}, I am righteous {H6663}: and God {H410} hath taken away {H5493} my judgment {H4941}.

For Iyov says, 'I am in the right, but God is denying me justice.

For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right:

Context

Job 34:5 is part of Elihu's discourse, a new voice introduced in the book of Job. Elihu, the youngest and previously silent observer among Job's companions, begins to speak from Job 32:2. He positions himself as a mediator, aiming to correct what he perceives as errors in the arguments of both Job and his three friends. In this verse, Elihu directly quotes (or paraphrases) Job, accusing him of asserting his own righteousness while simultaneously claiming that God has unjustly denied him vindication. This sets the stage for Elihu's lengthy argument asserting God's absolute justice and sovereignty, contrasting it with Job's complaints born out of intense suffering.

Key Themes

  • Job's Claim of Righteousness: Elihu highlights Job's repeated declarations of innocence, such as where Job states, "my righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go." This verse underscores Job's unwavering conviction regarding his moral integrity in the face of his inexplicable suffering.
  • The Denial of Justice: The phrase "God hath taken away my judgment" reflects Job's deep anguish and his feeling that he has been denied a fair hearing or vindication by God. Job's desire for an audience with God to present his case for justification is a recurring theme, as seen in his longing, "I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified."
  • Human Complaint vs. Divine Sovereignty: Elihu uses Job's words to build his argument that it is improper to accuse God of injustice. This verse encapsulates the tension between human suffering and the perceived lack of divine intervention, and the theological debate about God's character in the face of human complaint.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "judgment" in this verse is mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), which is a rich term. It refers not only to a judicial decision or verdict but also to justice itself, a just cause, a legal right, or vindication. When Elihu quotes Job as saying God "taken away my mishpat," it implies that Job felt God had denied him his rightful vindication, a fair hearing, or the justice he believed he deserved, especially given his assertion of righteousness. This word choice emphasizes the legal and moral dimensions of Job's complaint.

Practical Application

Job 34:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the human tendency to question God's justice when faced with deep suffering or inexplicable circumstances. While it is natural to seek understanding and vindication, this verse, within Elihu's broader speech, cautions against presuming to judge God's actions or motives. It challenges us to reflect on our own complaints during trials and encourages a posture of trust in God's ultimate righteousness and sovereign plan, even when His ways are beyond our full comprehension. The book of Job ultimately points to the fact that God's wisdom and justice are perfect, even if His reasons are not always immediately clear to us, as revealed when the Lord answers Job out of the whirlwind.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 33:9

    I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me.

  • Job 27:2

    [As] God liveth, [who] hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, [who] hath vexed my soul;

  • Job 29:14

    I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment [was] as a robe and a diadem.

  • Job 10:7

    Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and [there is] none that can deliver out of thine hand.

  • Job 11:4

    For thou hast said, My doctrine [is] pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

  • Job 16:17

    ¶ Not for [any] injustice in mine hands: also my prayer [is] pure.

  • Job 32:1

    ¶ So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he [was] righteous in his own eyes.

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