Job 35:4-14

4 I will answer you and your friends with you.

5 Look at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you.^[a]

6 If you sin, how does it affect God? If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to Him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand?

8 Your wickedness [affects] a person like yourself, and your righteousness [another] human being.

9 People cry out because of severe oppression; they shout for help from the arm of the mighty.^[b]

10 But no one asks, "Where is God my Maker,^[c] who provides [us] with songs in the night,^[d]

11 who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?"

12 There they cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.^[e]

13 Indeed, God does not listen to empty [cries], and the Almighty does not take note of it-

14 how much less when^[f] you complain^[g] that you do not see Him, [that your] case is before Him^[h] and you are waiting for Him.^[i]

Job 35:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 35

Is this chapter Elihu goes on to charge Job with other unbecoming speeches, which he undertakes to refute; as that he had represented his cause more just than God's, and religion and righteousness as things unprofitable to men, only to God; to which Elihu takes upon him to make answer, Job 35:1-8; and that the cries of the oppressed were not heard by the Lord, so as to give occasion to songs of praise and thankfulness, to which he replies, Job 35:9-13; and that Job had expressed diffidence and despair of ever seeing and enjoying the favour of God, which he endeavours to remove, Job 35:14-16.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 103:11; Isa 55:9
• [b]. Jb 19:7; 24:12; 30:20
• [c]. Isa 51:13
• [d]. Ps 42:8; 77:6; Ac 16:25
• [e]. Jb 35:9; Lv 26:19; Pr 8:13
• [f]. Or How then can
• [g]. Lit say
• [h]. Jb 13:18
• [i]. Jb 31:35