Job 34:13-23

13 Who gave him charge over the earth and who laid on him the whole world?

14 If he should take back his spirit to himself, and gather to himself his breath,

15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

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

17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

18 who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man';

19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.

21 "For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.

22 There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.

23 For he has not appointed a time for any man to go before God in judgment.

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.