Job 34:9

9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.'

Job 34:9 Meaning and Commentary

Job 34:9

For he hath said
Not plainly and expressly, but consequentially; what it was thought might be inferred from what he had said, particularly in ( Job 9:22 ) ;

it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God;
in his house and ordinances, ways and worship; he may as well indulge himself in the pleasures of sin, and in the delights of the world, if God destroys the perfect and the wicked, as Job had said in the place referred to; if this be the case, it is in vain to serve God, and pray unto him, or keep his ordinances; which are the language and sentiments of wicked men, and according to which they act, see ( Job 21:14 Job 21:15 ) ( Malachi 3:14 ) . Mr. Broughton renders it,

``when he would walk with God;''

and so the Targum,

``in his walking with God;''

and another Targum,

``in his running with God:''

though he walks and even runs in the way of his commandments, yet it is of no advantage to him; or he does the will of God, as Aben Ezra; or seeks to please him or be acceptable to him, and to find grace in his sight. Whereas though love and hatred are not known by prosperity and adversity, but both come to good and bad men, which seems to be Job's meaning in the above place, from whence this inference is deduced; yet it is certain that godliness is profitable to all, ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ) .

Job 34:9 In-Context

7 What man is like Iyov, Who drinks up scoffing like water,

8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men?

9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.'

10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, From Shaddai, that he should commit iniquity.

11 For the work of a man will he render to him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.