Job 34:29-37

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

30 so that the godless should not reign, or those who ensnare the people.

31 "For has anyone said to God, "I have endured punishment; 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 pay back to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.

34 Those who have sense will say to me, and the wise who hear me will say,

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

36 Would that Job were tried to the limit, because his answers are those of the wicked.

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

Job 34:29-37 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Meaning of Heb of verses 29-33 uncertain