Job 34:7

7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?

Job 34:7 in Other Translations

KJV
7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
ESV
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
NLT
7 “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk?
MSG
7 Have you ever heard anything to beat this? Does nothing faze this man Job?
CSB
7 What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water.

Job 34:7 Meaning and Commentary

Job 34:7

What man [is] like Job
This is said as wondering at the part he acted, that a man so wise and good as Job was esteemed to be should behave in such a manner as he did;

[who] drinketh up scorning like water?
For a foolish and wicked man to do so is not strange nor uncommon; but for a man of such sense and grace as Job was to do this was astonishing; to have no more regard to his character than to expose himself to the scorn and ridicule of men: for a man to become a laughing stock to profane and wicked men for his religion and piety, it is no disgrace, but an honour to him; but by unbecoming words and gestures to make himself justly jeered and scoffed at is great indiscretion. Or it may be understood actively of his dealing very freely and frequently in scoffs and jeers, which he poured out very liberally and plentifully, and seemingly with as much delight as a man drinks water when thirsty; see ( Job 11:3 ) .

Job 34:7 In-Context

5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
9 For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Job 9:21; S Job 15:16
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.