Job 34:1-10

1 Then Elihu continued,^[a] saying:

2 Hear my words, you wise men, and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.

3 Doesn't the ear test words as the palate tastes food?^[b]

4 Let us judge for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good.

5 For Job has declared, "I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.^[c]

6 Would I lie about my case?^[d] My wound^[e] is incurable, though I am without transgression."

7 What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water.^[f]

8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

9 For he has said, "A man gains nothing when he becomes God's friend."^[g]

10 Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. It is impossible for God [to do] wrong, and [for] the Almighty [to act] unjustly.^[h]

Job 34:1-10 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.

Job 34:1-10 In-Context

1 Then Elihu continued, saying:

2 Hear my words, you wise men, and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.

3 Doesn't the ear test words as the palate tastes food?

4 Let us judge for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good.

5 For Job has declared, "I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression."

7 What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water.

8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

9 For he has said, "A man gains nothing when he becomes God's friend."

10 Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. It is impossible for God [to do] wrong, and [for] the Almighty [to act] unjustly.

11 For He repays a person [according to] his deeds, and He brings his ways on him.

12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

13 Who gave Him authority over the earth? Who put Him in charge of the entire world?

14 If He put His mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath He [gave],

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit answered
• [b]. Jb 12:11; Ps 34:8
• [c]. Jb 13:18; 27:2
• [d]. Jb 6:28; 24:25
• [e]. Lit arrow
• [f]. Jb 15:16; Ps 44:13; 123:4
• [g]. Jb 9:21-31
• [h]. Gn 18:25