Job 34:19-29

19 who {shows no partiality to officials} and [who] {does not take note of the noble more than of the insignificant}, for all of them [are] the work of his hands?
20 [In] a moment they die, and [in] the middle of [the] night [the] people are shaken, and they pass away, and they take away [the] mighty {effortlessly}.
21 "Indeed, his eyes [are] upon [the] ways of man, and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no deep shadow where instigators of mischief might hide themselves.
23 Indeed, he has not yet appointed [a time] for man to go to God in the judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation, and he sets others in their place.
25 Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns [them] [in the] night {so that} they are crushed.
26 He strikes them {where the wicked stood}, {where there are onlookers},
27 because they have turned aside from him and have not understood any of his ways,
28 so that [they] cause [the] cry of distress from [the] helpless to come to him, and he hears [the] cry of distress from [the] needy,
29 but he remains quiet, and who can condemn? And he hides [his] face, and who can behold him? Yet [he is] over a nation and over a person alike,

Job 34:19-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 34

In this chapter Elihu reassumes his discourse, and proceeds in his answer to Job, in which are first a preface exciting attention, Job 34:1-4; then a charge is brought against Job, expressed in or extracted from some words that dropped from his lips, not so well guarded, Job 34:5-9; a refutation of these expressions of his in a variety of arguments, Job 34:10-30; and the chapter is closed with some good advice to Job, Job 34:31-33; and with an earnest request of Elihu to men of understanding, to join with him in trying him to the uttermost, Job 34:34-37.

Footnotes 7

  • [a]. Literally "he does not lift the face of officials"
  • [b]. Literally "he does not regard [the] eminent to the face of [the] poor/insignificant"
  • [c]. Literally "not by a hand"
  • [d]. Hebrew "and"
  • [e]. Literally "among [the] wicked"
  • [f]. Literally "in [the] place of seers"
  • [g]. Hebrew "And"
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