Job 34:1-14

1 Then Elihu said:

2 “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.

3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.

4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

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.’

10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.

11 He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.

12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.

13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?

14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit^[a] and breath,

Job 34:1-14 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. S Job 32:10
• 2. Job 12:11
• 3. S Job 12:12; Hebrews 5:14
• 4. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
• 5. S Job 10:7; Job 33:9
• 6. S Job 6:29; Job 27:2
• 7. S Job 6:28
• 8. S Job 9:21
• 9. S Job 6:4; S Job 10:3; S Jeremiah 10:19
• 10. S Job 9:21; S Job 15:16
• 11. S Job 22:15; Psalms 50:18
• 12. S Job 9:29-31; S Job 21:15; Job 35:3
• 13. Job 32:10
• 14. ver 16; S Job 12:12
• 15. S Genesis 18:25
• 16. ver 12; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3; Job 36:23; Psalms 92:15; Romans 3:5; Romans 9:14
• 17. S Job 21:31; Psalms 62:12; S Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10
• 18. Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 32:19; Ezekiel 33:20
• 19. S ver 10; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18
• 20. S Job 8:3; Psalms 9:16; Colossians 3:25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6
• 21. Hebrews 1:2
• 22. Job 36:23; Job 38:4,6; Isaiah 40:14
• 23. S Genesis 6:3
• 24. S Numbers 16:22; S Job 27:3; Psalms 104:29

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "Spirit"