Job 34:12

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Yea, surely {H551} God {H410} will not do wickedly {H7561}, neither will the Almighty {H7706} pervert {H5791} judgment {H4941}.

It is certain that God does nothing wicked; Shaddai will not pervert justice.

Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Commentary

Commentary on Job 34:12 (KJV)

Job 34:12 declares, "Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment." This verse is spoken by Elihu, a younger man who enters the conversation among Job and his three friends. Elihu seeks to defend God's character and justice against Job's laments and accusations of unfair treatment.

Context

Elihu's speeches in the Book of Job (chapters 32-37) mark a shift in the dialogue. Unlike Job's three friends, who often attributed Job's suffering directly to his sin, Elihu emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, wisdom, and righteousness. He argues that God is too great and too just to act unjustly. In this particular verse, Elihu directly refutes any notion that God could be the source of evil or that His judgments could be flawed or biased. He aims to reassure Job, and the reader, of God's impeccable moral character and the infallibility of His divine governance over the universe.

Key Themes

  • God's Impeccable Justice: The core message is an emphatic assertion of God's perfect righteousness. He is incapable of wrongdoing or injustice. This stands in stark contrast to human fallibility and corruption.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Integrity: The verse highlights that God's power (referred to as "the Almighty") is always exercised with perfect integrity. His omnipotence is inextricably linked with His moral perfection.
  • Infallibility of God's Judgment: God does not "pervert judgment." This means His decisions are always true, fair, and untainted by error or malice. Even when His ways are mysterious to humans, His judgments remain righteous.
  • A Foundation of Trust: For those suffering or questioning God's ways, this verse offers a theological anchor: God is inherently good and just, providing a basis for trust even amidst profound difficulty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wickedly" is rasha (רָשַׁע), which conveys the idea of being guilty, unrighteous, or acting maliciously. When the verse states God "will not do wickedly," it means He is utterly free from any moral fault or injustice.

The phrase "pervert judgment" translates the Hebrew ʿāwat mišpāṭ (עָוַת מִשְׁפָּט). ʿāwat means "to twist," "to make crooked," or "to distort," while mišpāṭ refers to "judgment," "justice," or "right." Thus, the phrase emphatically declares that God's justice is never twisted, corrupted, or made crooked; it is always straight, true, and righteous.

Related Scriptures

This declaration echoes truths found throughout Scripture concerning God's character. For instance, Deuteronomy 32:4 states, "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Similarly, Psalm 9:8 affirms, "And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness." The apostle Paul also addresses this concept directly in Romans 9:14, asking, "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid." These verses collectively reinforce the biblical teaching that God is incapable of injustice or wrongdoing.

Practical Application

Job 34:12 offers profound comfort and a challenge for believers today. In a world often marked by injustice, suffering, and seemingly arbitrary events, this verse serves as a crucial reminder of God's unchanging character. It invites us to:

  • Trust God's Character: Even when circumstances are confusing, painful, or seem unfair, we can rest in the knowledge that God Himself is perfectly just and good. Our limited understanding does not negate His righteousness.
  • Find Hope in Divine Justice: This verse is a promise that ultimate justice will prevail. God will not pervert judgment, meaning that in His perfect timing and way, all wrongs will be made right, and His righteous purposes will be fulfilled. This hope is central to the promise of a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells.
  • Align Our Own Justice: Understanding God's perfect justice should inspire us to pursue justice and righteousness in our own lives and communities, reflecting His character to the world.
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Cross-References

  • Job 8:3 (5 votes)

    Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

  • Psalms 11:7 (3 votes)

    For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

  • Psalms 145:17 (3 votes)

    The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

  • Habakkuk 1:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ [Art] thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

  • Habakkuk 1:13 (2 votes)

    [Thou art] of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, [and] holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth [the man that is] more righteous than he?