Job 35:8

Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou [art]; and thy righteousness [may profit] the son of man.

Thy wickedness {H7562} may hurt a man {H376} as thou art; and thy righteousness {H6666} may profit the son {H1121} of man {H120}.

Your wickedness can affect only others like you, and your righteousness only other human beings.

Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only a son of man.

Thy wickednessmay hurta man as thou art; And thy righteousness may profit a son of man.

Commentary

Job 35:8, part of Elihu's discourse, offers a profound insight into the limited scope of human actions concerning God, while emphasizing their significant impact on fellow human beings. Elihu argues against Job's perceived notion that his suffering implies God is somehow affected by his righteousness or wickedness.

Context

This verse is found within Elihu's fourth speech (Job chapters 34-37). Elihu, the youngest of Job's three friends, presents a fresh perspective, attempting to correct what he perceives as Job's flawed understanding of God's justice and sovereignty. His core argument here, reiterated from Job 35:6-7, is that God is so transcendent and immense that human sin cannot diminish Him, nor can human righteousness add anything to His perfect being. Instead, Elihu asserts that human actions, whether good or bad, primarily affect other people and the earthly sphere.

Key Themes

  • Human Accountability and Interconnectedness: The verse clearly states that "Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou [art]." This highlights that immoral actions have direct, detrimental effects on other individuals, creating harm and suffering within the human community. Conversely, "thy righteousness [may profit] the son of man," underscoring the positive, beneficial impact of virtuous living on one's neighbors and society at large. This emphasizes the social dimension of morality and the consequences of actions.
  • God's Immutability and Transcendence: Elihu's broader point, encapsulated in this verse, is that God's nature is unchangeable and His position is unassailable. Human sin does not diminish God's glory, nor does human righteousness add to His perfection. Our actions affect us and those around us, not the Almighty Himself in terms of His being or power. This concept is vital for understanding God's unchanging nature.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam - Χ‘ΦΆΦΌΧŸ אָדָם) is a common biblical idiom simply meaning 'human being' or 'mankind' in general. In this context, it refers to any fellow person, emphasizing that the impact of one's actions is felt within the human sphere. The bracketed words "[may hurt]" and "[may profit]" in the King James Version are supplied for clarity, reflecting the implied consequences of wickedness and righteousness in the Hebrew text.

Practical Application

Job 35:8 serves as a powerful reminder that while our primary duty is to glorify God, the immediate consequences of our moral choices are felt most acutely by those around us. It calls us to consider the ripple effect of our behavior:

  • Responsibility for Others: Our choices are not isolated; they contribute either to the suffering or the well-being of others. This should motivate us to pursue righteousness not just for personal gain, but for the benefit of our families, communities, and the world.
  • Ethical Conduct Matters: The verse underscores the importance of ethical conduct in daily life. Living righteously is not about earning favor with God (as He is self-sufficient), but about honoring Him through our love and service to fellow humans, as taught in passages like Matthew 22:39, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
  • Understanding Divine Justice: It helps us understand that God's justice operates not necessarily by direct, immediate recompense for every human act against His being, but through the natural consequences of actions within the human realm, and ultimately through His sovereign judgment.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 106:23

    Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].

  • Acts 27:24

    Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

  • Joshua 7:1

    ΒΆ But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

  • Joshua 7:5

    And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

  • Job 42:8

    Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.

  • Genesis 19:29

    And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:18

    Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.