Job 34:7

KJV

What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water?

KJV (with Strong's)

What man {H1397} is like Job {H347}, who drinketh up {H8354} scorning {H3933} like water {H4325}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Is there a man like Iyov, who drinks in scoffing like water,

Berean Standard Bible

What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

American Standard Version

What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 34:7 presents a pointed rhetorical question from Elihu, the youngest of Job's four interlocutors, who asserts that Job has adopted a pervasive attitude of contempt and derision towards God's justice and actions. This verse encapsulates Elihu's central accusation that Job, in his profound suffering, has not merely lamented but has crossed a line into scoffing at divine wisdom and sovereignty, doing so with an ease and frequency likened to drinking water.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Elihu enters the dialogue in [Job 32](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu Enters the Debate"), having patiently waited for Job and his three friends to conclude their arguments. He expresses anger at Job for justifying himself rather than God, and at the friends for failing to provide a satisfactory answer while still condemning Job ([Job 32:3](/job/32-3 "Job 32:3 - Elihu's Anger")). In [Job 34](/job/34 "Job 34 - Elihu Accuses Job of Arrogance"), Elihu directly addresses Job, launching into a sustained critique of Job's statements. This specific verse, [Job 34:7](/job/34-7 "Job 34:7 - Elihu Accuses Job of Scoffing"), serves as a direct and stinging accusation, summarizing Elihu's perception of Job's increasingly irreverent and contemptuous speech, particularly in light of Job's earlier, bitter laments where he questioned God's justice and governance (e.g., [Job 9:22-24](/job/9-22 "Job 9:22-24 - Job's Despair and Questioning God's Justice") and [Job 13:3](/job/13-3 "Job 13:3 - Job Desires to Argue with God")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely in a patriarchal, pre-Mosaic period, emphasizing universal themes of suffering, divine justice, and human response to adversity. In this cultural milieu, reverence for the divine was paramount, and outright blasphemy or contemptuous speech against God was considered a grave offense. While lament was a recognized form of expression in times of distress (as seen in many Psalms), there was a fine line between expressing pain and accusing the divine of injustice or incompetence. Elihu's perspective reflects a common ancient wisdom tradition that upheld God's absolute righteousness and sovereignty, making any perceived challenge to it, especially from a human, an act of profound arrogance and impiety. The imagery of "drinking" something like water suggests a common, natural, and perhaps even enjoyable activity, making the accusation particularly potent.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, as Elihu vehemently defends God's unquestionable authority and perfect righteousness against what he perceives as Job's challenges. Elihu's arguments, though flawed in their application to Job, underscore the biblical truth that God is just in all His ways ([Psalm 145:17](/psalms/145-17 "Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is Righteous in All His Ways")). Another prominent theme is **The Nature of Human Speech in Suffering**, highlighting the danger of allowing bitterness or resentment to corrupt one's words, leading to contemptuous or presumptuous accusations against God. Elihu believes Job's lamentations have devolved into such "scorning," contrasting with the ideal of righteous endurance ([James 5:10-11](/james/5-10 "James 5:10-11 - The Patience of Job")). Finally, the verse touches upon **The Limits of Human Understanding**, as Elihu, like the other friends, attempts to explain God's actions through a limited, retributive framework, failing to grasp the deeper spiritual battle and God's ultimate purposes in Job's suffering, which are revealed later in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - The Lord Answers Job from the Whirlwind").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scorning (Hebrew, _la'ag'_):** This Hebrew noun carries a strong connotation of mockery, derision, contempt, or scoffing. It's more than mere complaint or lament; it implies an attitude of disdain, ridicule, or active disrespect. In other contexts, it can refer to the scorn of the wicked or the derision of enemies. Here, Elihu applies it to Job's speech towards God, suggesting that Job's words are not just expressions of pain but have taken on a quality of insolent contempt for divine wisdom and justice.
* **drinketh up (Hebrew, _shatah'_):** The verb "drink" implies consumption, but in this metaphorical context, it suggests an ease, frequency, and perhaps even a habitual or eager engagement with the act of scorning. Just as one drinks water naturally and without effort, Elihu implies that Job has become so accustomed to, or perhaps even delights in, uttering words of contempt that it has become second nature, a pervasive and deeply ingrained aspect of his communication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What man [is] like Job":** This is a rhetorical question posed by Elihu, designed to highlight Job's perceived uniqueness in his audacity. It's not a genuine inquiry but a forceful declaration, implying that Job's behavior is exceptionally outrageous and without peer among righteous men. Elihu uses this to set Job apart, not as a model of patience, but as an example of one who has gone too far in his complaints.
* **"[who] drinketh up scorning like water?":** This is the core of Elihu's accusation, employing a vivid simile. The phrase asserts that Job has become so habituated to uttering words of contempt, derision, or irreverence that it is as effortless, natural, and perhaps as frequent for him as drinking water. It suggests that this "scorning" is not an occasional outburst but a continuous, almost essential part of Job's current disposition and expression, indicating a deep-seated attitude of disrespect towards God's actions and character.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's accusation in [Job 34:7](/job/34-7 "Job 34:7 - Elihu Accuses Job of Scoffing") is powerfully conveyed through several literary devices. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question**, "What man [is] like Job," which is not intended to be answered but rather to emphasize Elihu's strong conviction and to draw the listener into agreement about Job's perceived unparalleled audacity. The most prominent device is the **Simile**, "like water," which vividly compares the ease and habitual nature of Job's "scorning" to the simple, everyday act of drinking. This comparison underscores the naturalness and frequency with which Elihu believes Job utters contemptuous words. Furthermore, the phrase "drinketh up scorning" employs a powerful **Metaphor**, treating an abstract concept (scorning) as a tangible substance that can be consumed. This intensifies the accusation, suggesting that Job not only utters scorn but absorbs it into his very being, making it a fundamental part of his character. Finally, Elihu's strong language might also contain elements of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of Job's perceived sin to make a more forceful and dramatic point about the gravity of questioning divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elihu's accusation in [Job 34:7](/job/34-7 "Job 34:7 - Elihu Accuses Job of Scoffing") serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between honest lament and presumptuous speech in the face of suffering. While the book of Job ultimately vindicates Job's integrity, Elihu's perspective highlights a genuine spiritual danger: the temptation to allow bitterness and incomprehension to fester into contempt for God's character or governance. This verse underscores the biblical emphasis on reverent speech and humble submission to divine wisdom, even when circumstances are inexplicable. It challenges believers to examine their hearts and words during trials, ensuring that their expressions of pain do not devolve into accusations against the perfectly just and sovereign God. The tension between human suffering and divine justice is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, prompting us to trust in God's goodness even when we cannot trace His hand.

* [Psalm 73:13](/psalms/73-13 "Psalm 73:13 - Asaph's Struggle with Injustice") - Asaph's near-stumble into cynicism and perceived futility of his righteousness, bordering on scorning God's justice.
* [Proverbs 14:6](/proverbs/14-6 "Proverbs 14:6 - The Scornful Seeks Wisdom in Vain") - Describes the futility of the scorner's pursuit of wisdom, reinforcing the negative connotation of "scorning."
* [Romans 9:20](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20 - Who Are You to Reply to God?") - Paul's rhetorical question challenging humanity's right to question or argue with God's sovereign will and actions.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Job 34:7](/job/34-7 "Job 34:7 - Elihu Accuses Job of Scoffing"), though an accusation against Job that God later refutes in its ultimate severity, offers profound lessons for believers navigating trials. It reminds us that while God invites us to bring our honest laments and questions before Him, there is a crucial distinction between expressing genuine pain and allowing that pain to morph into contemptuous or cynical speech against His character or wisdom. Our suffering can tempt us to believe God is unjust or uncaring, leading us to "drink up scorning" by harboring resentment or speaking presumptuously. This verse calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing our finite understanding in the face of God's infinite wisdom, and to consciously guard our hearts and tongues. Even when circumstances are bewildering, our ultimate posture should be one of trust in God's unchanging goodness and sovereignty, allowing our lament to lead us to deeper dependence rather than bitter accusation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when suffering leads me to question God's justice or goodness?**
* **What is the difference between honest lament and contemptuous speech in my own life, and where might I be tempted to cross that line?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to "drink up scorning" – that is, to habitually harbor or express cynical, critical, or disrespectful attitudes towards God, others, or even myself?**

### FAQ
**Was Elihu's accusation against Job accurate?**

Answer: From Elihu's limited perspective, his accusation was understandable. Job had indeed uttered strong, desperate laments, questioning God's actions and even expressing a desire to argue his case before God ([Job 13:3](/job/13-3 "Job 13:3 - Job Desires to Argue with God")). Elihu interpreted these intense expressions of grief and frustration as "scorning" or contempt against God's justice. However, from God's perspective, as revealed in the opening chapters of Job and His final address, Job maintained his integrity ([Job 1:22](/job/1-22 "Job 1:22 - Job Does Not Sin")). Job's words were born of profound anguish and a desire for understanding, not a deliberate, scornful rejection of God. Elihu, like the other friends, misunderstood the depth of Job's faith and the true nature of his suffering.

**How does this verse relate to the broader theme of suffering in Job?**

Answer: This verse highlights a critical aspect of the suffering theme in Job: the human tendency to react negatively, even presumptuously, when faced with inexplicable pain. It emphasizes the challenge of maintaining faith and reverent speech when God's ways seem inscrutable. While Job ultimately demonstrates faithful endurance, Elihu's accusation serves as a cautionary tale about the human inclination to judge God based on limited understanding. It also underscores the limitations of human wisdom in interpreting divine actions, as Elihu's rigid theology could not comprehend a righteous person suffering without having sinned to "deserve" it. The verse, therefore, contributes to the book's exploration of how one should speak to and about God amidst profound adversity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Job 34:7](/job/34-7 "Job 34:7 - Elihu Accuses Job of Scoffing") serves as Elihu's flawed accusation against Job, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate "man" who truly drank up scorning, not by uttering it, but by enduring it on behalf of humanity: Jesus Christ. Unlike Job, who was accused of scorning God, Jesus Himself was the innocent object of intense scorn, mockery, and derision from humanity, particularly during His passion ([Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery at the Cross")). He "drank" the cup of suffering, not for His own sin, but for the sins of the world, which include our own propensity to "drink up scorning" in our hearts against God and others. The very "scorning" that Elihu accused Job of, humanity justly deserved, yet Christ, "who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth," when reviled, "did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him who judges justly" ([1 Peter 2:21-23](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21-23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). He perfectly exemplified righteous suffering, demonstrating how to endure without sinning with one's lips. Through His sacrifice, we are freed from the bondage of our own sinful, scornful hearts and empowered by His Spirit to approach God with trust and reverence, even in our deepest pain, knowing that our High Priest sympathizes with our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus, Our High Priest")).

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 15:16

How much more abominable and filthy [is] man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

Proverbs 1:22

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Deuteronomy 29:19

And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

Proverbs 4:17

For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.