Job 36:21

KJV

Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take heed {H8104}, regard {H6437} not iniquity {H205}: for this hast thou chosen {H977} rather than affliction {H6040}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Be careful; turn away from wrongdoing; for because of this, you have been tested by affliction.

Berean Standard Bible

Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction.

American Standard Version

Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 36:21 presents Elihu's stern warning to Job, urging him to guard his heart against sin and unrighteousness even amidst his severe suffering. Elihu suggests that Job's complaints or self-justification might be leading him to prefer a path of "iniquity" over humbly enduring and learning from his "affliction," thereby highlighting the spiritual danger of choosing a sinful response over patient endurance and righteous trust in God's sovereign purpose during trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Elihu's extended discourse to Job, spanning chapters 32-37 of the Book of Job. Elihu, the youngest of Job's four counselors, offers a distinct theological perspective, differing from the initial three friends who largely attributed Job's suffering directly to specific sins. Elihu often defends God's justice and sovereignty, introducing the idea that affliction can serve a disciplinary, instructional, or refining purpose, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God. In the immediate context of Job 36, Elihu emphasizes God's greatness and how He uses suffering to deliver the afflicted and open their ears to instruction, as stated in [Job 36:15](/job/36-15 "Job 36:15 - God Delivers Through Affliction"). Verse 21 is a direct and pointed admonition to Job, following Elihu's assertion that God teaches through suffering, implying that Job's current attitude or complaints risk leading him to prefer a sinful path over righteous endurance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location not precisely identified but generally understood to be outside of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia. The narrative likely reflects a patriarchal period, characterized by a direct relationship with God and a strong emphasis on individual righteousness and blamelessness. In the ancient Near East, suffering was often interpreted as a direct consequence of sin, a prevailing cultural understanding that Elihu, while affirming God's justice, also nuanced by introducing the concept of redemptive suffering. The dialogue format of the book is typical of ancient wisdom literature, where profound theological questions about justice, suffering, and divine sovereignty were explored through philosophical debate. Job's complete devastation—loss of family, wealth, and health—represents the ultimate test of integrity in a society where prosperity was commonly viewed as a sign of divine favor.
* **Key Themes:** Job 36:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. It underscores the **danger of sin in suffering**, warning that intense pressure and pain can tempt individuals to abandon righteousness, cultivate bitterness, or adopt a sinful attitude towards God or their circumstances. It highlights the critical **choice between righteousness and perceived escape from pain**, implying that Job might be inclining towards a sinful perspective or action as a perceived alternative to patiently enduring his immense suffering. Elihu's speech consistently upholds **God's just and purposeful character**, challenging Job's tendency to question divine fairness and urging him instead to examine his own heart and responses to his trials. This aligns with the broader theme of trusting God's wisdom even when His ways are inscrutable, a theme that culminates in God's own discourse in [Job 40:1-5](/job/40-1 "Job 40:1-5 - Job's Humility Before God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take heed (Hebrew, _shamar'_):** This imperative verb signifies "to guard," "watch," "be careful," or "keep." It conveys a strong sense of vigilance and conscious effort to protect oneself from something harmful. In this context, it demands active self-preservation against the spiritual danger of iniquity, emphasizing the need for intentional spiritual discipline.
* **Regard not (Hebrew, _panah'_):** The root of this verb means "to turn," "to incline," or "to face." When used in the negative, as it is here, it means "do not turn towards," "do not incline to," or "do not set your face upon." It's a warning against giving attention, preference, or even a sympathetic ear to iniquity, suggesting an internal disposition of the heart.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _'awen'_):** This noun denotes wickedness, mischief, trouble, or perversity. It often carries the connotation of moral evil, unrighteousness, or even the trouble that results from such evil. Elihu starkly contrasts this with "affliction," implying a choice between enduring suffering righteously and succumbing to moral corruption.
* **Affliction (Hebrew, _'oni'_):** This noun refers to misery, suffering, oppression, or hardship. It describes Job's current, profound state of suffering. Elihu's warning posits a critical choice: either to endure this God-ordained suffering righteously or to choose a path of wickedness as a perceived alternative or escape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take heed, regard not iniquity:"** This is a direct, urgent, and double-barreled command from Elihu to Job. "Take heed" (guard yourself) combined with "regard not" (do not incline towards or prefer) emphasizes a comprehensive warning against any form of sin, whether in thought, attitude, or action. Elihu perceives a spiritual danger in Job's complaints or self-justification, suggesting Job is on the verge of, or already entertaining, a sinful attitude or action.
* **"for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction."** This clause presents Elihu's accusation or interpretation of Job's behavior. "This" refers to "iniquity." Elihu implies that Job, in his desperation, bitterness, or self-pity, has implicitly or explicitly opted for a path of unrighteousness—perhaps through questioning God's justice, entertaining sinful thoughts, or even desiring death as an escape—as a perceived alternative to patiently enduring his God-given suffering. This is a severe charge, suggesting Job's spiritual integrity is at risk, and that he is making a conscious, albeit perhaps subconscious, choice.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu employs **Direct Address** and **Admonition**, speaking personally and sternly to Job to convey his warning. The verse is built upon a stark **Antithesis** or **Contrast** between "iniquity" and "affliction," highlighting the critical moral and spiritual choice Job faces. Elihu's language is fundamentally **Didactic**, aiming to instruct and correct Job's perspective on suffering and righteousness. The phrase "this hast thou chosen" functions as a form of **Rhetorical Accusation**, presenting Elihu's interpretation of Job's internal state and choices, designed to provoke self-examination. The overall tone is one of urgent, pastoral **Exhortation**, urging Job away from a dangerous spiritual precipice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elihu's warning in Job 36:21 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of suffering as a crucible for faith and a test of character. It underscores the ever-present temptation to respond to pain with sin—whether through bitterness, despair, or questioning God's goodness—rather than with patient endurance and trust. This verse highlights that true righteousness is not merely the absence of outward sin, but a heart posture that remains steadfast and submissive to God even when His ways are inscrutable and His hand seems heavy. It challenges the notion that suffering automatically justifies a sinful response, emphasizing the believer's ongoing responsibility to guard their heart and choose integrity over perceived comfort or escape from hardship. It points to a profound spiritual battle fought in the heart during times of trial.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart Above All Else")
* [James 1:12](/james/1-12 "James 1:12 - Blessing of Enduring Temptation")
* [1 Peter 4:19](/1_peter/4-19 "1 Peter 4:19 - Committing Souls to a Faithful Creator in Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 36:21 serves as a profound and timeless warning for all who walk through the valleys of affliction. When life's storms rage, and pain seems unbearable, the human heart is prone to seeking relief, sometimes at any cost. Elihu's words remind us that true spiritual integrity is not measured by the absence of suffering, but by our response to it. Are we tempted to lash out in anger, cultivate bitterness, or question God's character? Do we seek sinful escapes or allow our pain to justify unrighteous attitudes? This verse calls us to a higher standard: to "take heed" and "regard not iniquity," actively guarding our hearts against the subtle allure of sin, even when it promises a false sense of comfort or a perceived alternative to our pain. It compels us to choose righteousness, holiness, and trust in God's sovereign wisdom, even when His purposes are veiled. Our ultimate goal in suffering should be conformity to Christ, not merely the cessation of pain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might I be tempted to "choose iniquity rather than affliction" when facing personal trials, disappointments, or injustices?**
* **How does my immediate and prolonged response to suffering reveal my true understanding of God's character, sovereignty, and goodness?**
* **What practical steps can I implement to actively "guard my heart" (as in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")) against bitterness, anger, despair, or self-pity when enduring hardship?**

### FAQ
**Did Elihu believe Job was actually sinning in Job 36:21?**

Answer: Elihu's statement, "for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction," is a strong accusation, implying that Job's complaints and self-justification were leading him into or were already a form of "iniquity." While Elihu, like Job's other friends, operates under the assumption that suffering is often linked to sin, his unique contribution is the idea that suffering can also be disciplinary or refining. In this specific verse, he seems to perceive Job's attitude as a dangerous inclination towards unrighteousness, a preference for a sinful response over patient endurance of his God-given trials. He's not necessarily saying Job committed a specific, overt sin, but that his *heart attitude* in suffering was veering towards "iniquity" (moral evil or perversity) rather than righteous submission. This contrasts with God's later vindication of Job's integrity, though Job himself acknowledges his flawed understanding in [Job 42:3](/job/42-3 "Job 42:3 - Job's Confession of Ignorance").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 36:21, though an Old Testament warning against choosing sin over suffering, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job was tempted to choose "iniquity" (a sinful response) over "affliction," Jesus perfectly exemplified the opposite. He "took heed" and "regarded not iniquity," even when facing the ultimate affliction of the cross. The New Testament reveals that Jesus, "who knew no sin, was made to be sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")), enduring unimaginable suffering without a trace of bitterness, complaint, or rebellion. He chose the path of perfect obedience and righteousness, even unto death, rather than seeking any sinful alternative or escape from the Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). His suffering was not for His own sin, but for ours, demonstrating that true righteousness endures affliction perfectly. For believers, Christ's example empowers us to face our own afflictions not by choosing sin, but by drawing strength from Him, knowing that He has already overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ Has Overcome the World")) and that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all ([2 Corinthians 4:17](/2_corinthians/4-17 "2 Corinthians 4:17 - Our Light and Momentary Troubles")). He is the one who perfectly endured affliction without choosing iniquity, becoming our perfect example and the source of our ability to do the same.

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

Psalms 66:18

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

Hebrews 11:25

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

1 Peter 3:17

For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Acts 5:40

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them], they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Matthew 16:24

¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.