Job 34:7-17

7 "What man is like Job, Who 1drinks up derision like water,
8 Who goes 2in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men?
9 "For he has said, '3It profits a man nothing When he is pleased with God.'
10 "Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to 4do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong.
11 "For He pays a man according to 5his work, And makes him find it according to his way.
12 "Surely *, 6God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13 "Who 7gave Him authority over the earth? And who 8has laid on Him the whole world?
14 "If He should determine * to do so, If He should 9gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,
15 All 10flesh would perish together, And man would 11return to dust.
16 "But if you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.
17 "Shall 12one who hates justice rule? And 13will you condemn the righteous mighty One,

Job 34:7-17 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 15:16
  • 2. Job 22:15
  • 3. Job 21:15; Job 35:3; Psalms 50:18
  • 4. Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3; Job 34:12; Romans 9:14
  • 5. Job 34:25; Psalms 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 32:19; Ezekiel 33:20; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12
  • 6. Job 34:10
  • 7. Job 38:4
  • 8. Job 38:5
  • 9. Job 12:10; Psalms 104:29; Ecclesiastes 12:7
  • 10. Genesis 7:21; Job 9:22
  • 11. Genesis 3:19; Job 10:9
  • 12. 2 Samuel 23:3; Job 34:30
  • 13. Job 40:8

Footnotes 3

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