Job 35:9

¶ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

By reason of the multitude {H7230} of oppressions {H6217} they make the oppressed to cry {H2199}: they cry out {H7768} by reason of the arm {H2220} of the mighty {H7227}.

People cry out from under many oppressions; they cry for help from under the fist of the mighty.

Men cry out under great oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the mighty.

By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

Job 35:9 captures the desperate cries of those suffering under severe injustice and the abuse of power. This verse is part of Elihu's discourse, where he attempts to explain God's ways to Job and his friends.

Context of Job 35:9

Elihu, the youngest of Job's three friends, speaks in chapters 32-37. In Job 35, he argues that God is greater than man and that human righteousness or wickedness does not directly affect God. He suggests that when people cry out due to oppression, their cries often do not reach God because they are not truly seeking Him, but merely complaining about their circumstances or their oppressors. Verse 9 specifically describes the source of these cries: the relentless heavy hand of injustice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Reality of Oppression: The verse starkly portrays a world where the weak are exploited by the strong. The "multitude of oppressions" signifies widespread and severe injustice.
  • The Cry of the Suffering: It highlights the natural human response to intense suffering and abuse of power – a desperate cry for relief. This lament is not just a quiet sorrow but an audible "cry out."
  • The "Arm of the Mighty": This phrase is a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming strength and authority of those in power who use their position to inflict harm and injustice upon others. It speaks to the systemic nature of oppression.
  • Seeking Deliverance: While the verse itself describes the crying, Elihu's larger point in this chapter implies that these cries, though loud, may be directed more at the oppressors than towards God for true deliverance or understanding. This contrasts with other biblical passages where God hears the cries of His people and responds.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "oppressions" is `osheq` (עֹשֶׁק), which conveys the idea of violent extortion, wrongful gain, or oppressive injustice. It's not just discomfort but active, harmful exploitation. The phrase "arm of the mighty" (Hebrew: z'roa` gibborim`) uses "arm" as a common biblical metaphor for strength, power, or authority, emphasizing the overwhelming force wielded by powerful individuals or groups (gibborim) who inflict this oppression.

Practical Application and Reflection

Job 35:9 serves as a timeless reminder of the pervasive issue of injustice in the world. Even today, many suffer under the "arm of the mighty," whether it be corrupt governments, exploitative economic systems, or powerful individuals. This verse calls us to:

  • Acknowledge Suffering: To recognize and empathize with those who are oppressed.
  • Examine Our Cries: To consider the direction of our own cries when we face hardship. Are we merely complaining about circumstances, or are we genuinely seeking God for comfort, justice, and strength?
  • Seek God's Justice: While Elihu's theology had its flaws, the broader biblical narrative assures us that God is indeed a God of justice who is a refuge for the oppressed and will ultimately bring all injustice to light (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
  • Act for Justice: As followers of God, we are called to be His hands and feet in advocating for the voiceless and standing against oppression, reflecting His heart for justice and righteousness (Micah 6:8).
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.

  • Exodus 2:23

    ¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

  • Job 34:28

    So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

  • Exodus 3:9

    Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

  • Luke 18:3

    And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

  • Luke 18:7

    And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

  • Psalms 43:2

    For thou [art] the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

  • Psalms 56:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

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