He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
He withdraweth {H1639} not his eyes {H5869} from the righteous {H6662}: but with kings {H4428} are they on the throne {H3678}; yea, he doth establish {H3427} them for ever {H5331}, and they are exalted {H1361}.
He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous; but when he sets kings on their throne forever, they may become proud;
He does not take His eyes off the righteous, but He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.
He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.
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Psalms 34:15
The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. -
Psalms 33:18
Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; -
1 Samuel 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. -
Psalms 113:7
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; -
Psalms 113:8
That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people. -
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil. -
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.
Job 36:7 is part of Elihu's discourse, where he defends God's justice and sovereignty, particularly in His dealings with humanity. Elihu argues that God is not indifferent to the suffering or prosperity of individuals but acts with profound wisdom and righteousness.
Context
This verse comes from Elihu's fourth and final speech (Job 36:1-37:24), where he attempts to correct Job's perspective and that of his three friends. Elihu asserts God's omnipotence and perfect justice, emphasizing that God's ways are beyond human comprehension and always righteous. Here, he shifts to highlight God's care for those who remain faithful, contrasting it with the fate of the wicked. Elihu aims to show that God is attentive to the righteous and that their suffering might be for purification or instruction, not necessarily punishment for sin, ultimately leading to their establishment and exaltation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "He withdraweth not his eyes" (Hebrew: לֹא־יִגְרַע עֵינָיו, lo-yigra` `eynav) conveys an active, continuous engagement and unwavering gaze. It's not merely passive observation but a focused, protective attention. The word "establish" (Hebrew: וַיֹּשִׁיבֵם, vayyoshivem, from יָשַׁב yashav) implies settling, causing to dwell, or setting in place, indicating a firm and secure foundation provided by God Himself.
Practical Application
Job 36:7 offers profound encouragement to believers facing adversity or questioning God's presence. It reminds us that God is perpetually attentive to the righteous, seeing their struggles and hearing their cries. Even when circumstances seem bleak, this verse assures us of God's unchanging favor and His ultimate plan to exalt and establish those who remain faithful. It encourages perseverance in righteousness, trusting that God's watchful eye will lead to eventual vindication and lasting honor. We are called to live righteously, knowing that our ultimate establishment and exaltation come from Him, not from earthly power or fleeting success. Consider the profound promise of Revelation 5:10, where believers are made kings and priests, reflecting this divine elevation and future reign.