Job34

English Standard Version

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¹Then and :

² my , you , and to me, you who ;

³for the as the .

⁴Let us what is ; let us ourselves is .

⁵For has , I am in the , and has taken my ;

⁶in spite of my I am counted a ; my is , though I am without .

⁷ is like , who like ,

⁸who in with and with ?

⁹For he has , a that he should in .

¹⁰ , me, you of : far be from that he should do , and from the that he should do .

¹¹For according to the of a he will him, and according to his he will make it .

¹²Of a , will not do , and the will not .

¹³ gave him over the , and who on him the ?

¹⁴ he should his to it and to himself his and his ,

¹⁵ would , and would to .

¹⁶ you have , ; to I .

¹⁷Shall one who ? Will you him who is and ,

¹⁸who to a , , and to , ,

¹⁹ to , nor the the , for they are the of his ?

²⁰In a they ; at the are and pass , and the are taken by human .

²¹For his are on the of a , and he all his .

²²There is no or where may themselves.

²³For God has need to a , that he should in .

²⁴He the without and in their .

²⁵ , their , he them in the , and they are .

²⁶He them their in a for all to ,

²⁷ they from and had for any of his ,

²⁸so that they caused the of the to to him, and he the of the —

²⁹When he is , can ? When he his , can him, it be a or a ?—

³⁰ a should not , that he should not the .

³¹For has anyone to , I have ; I will any more;

³² me what I do ; if I have , I will it no more?

³³Will he then make to suit you, you it? you must , and I; therefore what you .

³⁴ of will to me, and the who me will say:

³⁵ ; his are .

³⁶ that were to the , because he like .

³⁷For he to his ; he claps his among us and his against .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 34.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Elihu accuses Job of charging God with injustice. (1–9). God cannot be unjust. (10–15). God's power and providence. (16–30). Elihu reproves Job. (31–37).

vv1-9

Elihu calls upon those present to decide with him upon Job's words. The plainest Christian, whose mind is enlightened, whose heart is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and who is versed in the Scriptures, can say how far matters, words, or actions, agree with true religion, better than any that lean to their own understandings. Job had spoken as if he meant wholly to justify himself. He that say, I have cleansed my hands in vain, does not only offend against God's children, Ps 73:13–15, but gratifies his enemies, and says as they say.

vv10-15

Elihu had showed Job, that God meant him no hurt by afflicting him, but intended his spiritual benefit. Here he shows, that God did him no wrong by afflicting him. If the former did not satisfy him, this ought to silence him. God cannot do wickedness, nor the Almighty commit wrong. If services now go unrewarded, and sins now go unpunished, yet there is a day coming, when God will fully render to every man according to his works. Further, though the believer's final condemnation is done away through the Saviour's ransom, yet he has merited worse than any outward afflictions; so that no wrong is done to him, however he may be tried.

vv16-30

Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.

Key Words

ElihuH453Hebrew

אֱלִיהוּ: Elihu, the name of one of Job's friends, and of three Israelites

answeredH6030Hebrew

עָנָה: properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce

saidH559Hebrew

אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)

HearH8085Hebrew

שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

wordsH4405Hebrew

מִלָּה: a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic

wise menH2450Hebrew

חָכָם: wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)

give earH238Hebrew

אָזַן: to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen

knowH3045Hebrew

יָדַע: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

earH241Hebrew

אֹזֶן: broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

testsH974Hebrew

בָּחַן: to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate