Job 34:30

30 Which maketh a man, hypocrite, to reign, for the sins of the people. (And he maketh a man, who is a hypocrite, to reign, for the sins of the people.)

Job 34:30 Meaning and Commentary

Job 34:30

That the hypocrite reign not
These words seem to be connected with ( Job 34:24-28 ) , "he breaketh in pieces mighty men" the whole of ( Job 34:29 ) being read in a parenthesis; or with the phrase "he hideth his face"; as God is said to be in the destruction of mighty wicked men, who oppress the poor, and cause their cry to come to God, to prevent the reign of an hypocrite, or however to shorten it. By "an hypocrite" is not meant a common hypocrite in religion, but an hypocrite in politics; who pretends to great humanity and goodness, to a tender care of the people, and a preservation of them in their rights and liberties, and promises to support and establish the constitution, and observe the laws of the nation, with a show of zeal for the religion professed in it. But when he has ascended the throne, and got the power into his hands, he throws off the mask and becomes a tyrant; and men of such a temper, either God does not suffer to ascend the throne, but if they do get on it through artifice and deceit, he suffers them not to continue, but deposes them, and cuts their reign short: and this he does

lest the people be ensnared;
be brought into bondage, and lose their rights, privileges, and liberties; or lest they be drawn into sin by their precepts or examples. Some take the sense of the words to be, that God suffers not such to reign, but when he does it is because of the offences or sins of the people; he gives them such kings in his wrath, to punish them for their iniquities.

Job 34:30 In-Context

28 That they should make the cry of a needy man to come to him, and that he should hear the voice of poor men. (Yea, they who maketh the cry of the needy to come to him, so that he heareth the voice of the poor.)

29 For when he granteth peace, who is it that condemneth him? And since he hideth his cheer, who is (it) that seeth him? And on folks, and on all men, he hath power to do such things. (And if he granteth peace, who is it that condemneth him? But when he hideth his face, then who can find him? And he hath power to do such things over the nations, yea, over all people.)

30 Which maketh a man, hypocrite, to reign, for the sins of the people. (And he maketh a man, who is a hypocrite, to reign, for the sins of the people.)

31 Therefore for I have spoken to God, I shall not forbid thee to speak. (And so now I have spoken for God, and remember, I did not forbid thee to speak for him.)

32 If I have erred, teach thou me; if I have spoken wickedness, I shall no more add to (it).