Job35

Elihu continues his discourse, challenging Job's assertion that his righteousness surpasses God's and that there is no profit in being cleansed from sin. He argues that human actions do not directly affect God, who is transcendent, but rather impact other men. Elihu criticizes those who cry out under oppression but fail to seek God, their Maker, concluding that Job speaks ignorantly and without true understanding.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Elihu Challenges Job's Claims

1
Elihu spake moreover, and said,
2
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's? ​
3
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
4
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

Human Actions Do Not Affect God

5
Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. ​
6
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? ​
7
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? ​
8
Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

Why Cries Go Unanswered

9
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10
But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; ​
11
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
12
There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
13
Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. ​
14
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. ​
15
But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity: ​
16
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge. ​

Study Notes for Job 35

Verse 2

Elihu believes Job has implied that his moral integrity is superior to God’s concern, a dangerous theological claim that elevates the creature above the Creator.

Verse 5

Elihu employs the vast distance of the heavens as a metaphor for God’s transcendence and immutability, arguing that human actions cannot truly reach or alter the divine nature.

Verse 6

This rhetorical question establishes God's aseity (self-existence). Human sin harms fellow humans and the sinner, but it does not diminish God’s glory or power.

Verse 7

Just as sin cannot harm God, human righteousness cannot profit Him; God is already complete. Therefore, rewards for righteousness are given by grace, not necessity.

Verse 10

Elihu critiques the afflicted: they cry out against oppressors (v. 9) but fail to seek God as the source of true comfort and hope, who sustains the faithful even in suffering.

Verse 13

Elihu asserts that God ignores 'vanity'—prayers offered out of pride, resentment, or empty complaint. Only genuine, humble pleas are appropriate before the Almighty.

Verse 14

This verse advises Job to trust God’s timing. Even if Job cannot perceive God’s presence, divine judgment is certain and will be executed when appropriate.

Verse 15

A notoriously difficult verse, often interpreted as Elihu criticizing Job for impatience, suggesting that Job assumes God has overlooked his suffering because immediate retribution has not occurred.

Verse 16

Elihu concludes his second speech by condemning Job for multiplying words without knowledge, implying that Job's self-justification is rooted in ignorance of God’s transcendent nature.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options