Job 34:9

9 Indeed, he says, 'A man does not profit when he takes delight in 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 Job, who drinks scorn like water?

8 And he goes on the road in company with instigators of mischief, and walks with men of wickedness.

9 Indeed, he says, 'A man does not profit when he takes delight in God.'

10 "Therefore, listen to me, {people who have sense}: far be it from God {that he should commit wickedness} and that Shaddai {should do wrong}.

11 Indeed, he will repay [according to] a human being's deeds, and according to a man's way he will let [it] happen [to] him.