Job 34:1-8

Elihu Vindicates God's Justice

1 Then Elihu continued and said,

2 "Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who know.

3 "For ¹the ear tests words As the palate tastes food.

4 "Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 "For Job has said, '²I am righteous, But ³God has taken away my right;

6 Should I lie concerning my right? My ⁴wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'

7 "What man is like Job, Who ⁵drinks up derision like water,

8 Who goes ⁶in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men?

Job 34:1-8 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.

Cross References

• 1. Job 12:11
• 2. Job 13:18; Job 33:9
• 3. Job 27:2
• 4. Job 6:4
• 5. Job 15:16
• 6. Job 22:15

Footnotes

• [a] Or "Although I am right I am accounted a liar"
• [b] Lit "arrow"