Job 34:28-37

28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted--

29 When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man? --

30 that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.

31 "For has any one said to God, 'I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more;

32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

33 Will he then make requital to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.

34 Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:

35 'Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.'

36 Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."

Job 34:28-37 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.