Job 34:13-23

13 Who gave Him authority over the earth? Who put Him in charge of the entire world?^[a]

14 If He put His mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath^[b] He [gave],

15 every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

16 If you [have] understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say.

17 Could one who hates justice govern [the world]? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,

18 who says to a king, "Worthless man!" and to nobles, "Wicked men!"?^[c]

19 God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands.^[d]

20 They die suddenly in the middle of the night; people shudder, then pass away. Even the mighty are removed without effort.

21 For His eyes [watch] over a man's ways, and He observes all his steps.^[e]

22 There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves.^[f]

23 God does not [need to] examine a person further, that one should^[g] approach Him in court.

Job 34:13-23 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

• [a]. Jb 38:4-6; Ps 50:12; Isa 40:12-14
• [b]. Gn 2:7; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:19; 12:7
• [c]. Jb 12:21; 21:28; Ps 107:40
• [d]. Jb 31:15; Dt 10:17; Gl 2:6
• [e]. Jb 14:16; 24:23; 31:4
• [f]. Pr 15:3
• [g]. Some emend to God has not appointed a time for man to