Job 34:16-26

16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous [and] mighty?--

18 [Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked;

19 That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.

20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.

24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.

25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

26 He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;

Job 34:16-26 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.