Job 34:14-24

14 "If He should determine * to do so, If He should 1gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,
15 All 2flesh would perish together, And man would 3return to dust.
16 "But if you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.
17 "Shall 4one who hates justice rule? And 5will you condemn the righteous mighty One,
18 Who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' To nobles, 'Wicked ones ';
19 Who shows no 6partiality * to princes Nor regards the rich above the poor, For they all are the 7work of His hands?
20 "In a moment they die, and 8at midnight * People are shaken and pass away, And 9the mighty are taken away without a hand.
21 "For 10His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.
22 "There is 11no darkness or deep shadow Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 "For He does not 12need to consider a man further, That he should go before God in judgment.
24 "He breaks in pieces 13mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place.

Job 34:14-24 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.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Job 12:10; Psalms 104:29; Ecclesiastes 12:7
  • 2. Genesis 7:21; Job 9:22
  • 3. Genesis 3:19; Job 10:9
  • 4. 2 Samuel 23:3; Job 34:30
  • 5. Job 40:8
  • 6. Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17
  • 7. Job 10:3
  • 8. Exodus 12:29; Job 34:25; Job 36:20
  • 9. Job 12:19
  • 10. Job 24:23; Job 31:4; Proverbs 5:21; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 16:17
  • 11. Psalms 139:11, 12; Amos 9:2, 3
  • 12. Job 11:11
  • 13. Job 12:19

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "set His mind on Himself"
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