Job 34:9-20

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,

15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?

18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

19 who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

Job 34:9-20 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 9:29-31; S Job 21:15; Job 35:3
• 2. Job 32:10
• 3. ver 16; S Job 12:12
• 4. S Genesis 18:25
• 5. ver 12; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3; Job 36:23; Psalms 92:15; Romans 3:5; Romans 9:14
• 6. S Job 21:31; Psalms 62:12; S Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10
• 7. Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 32:19; Ezekiel 33:20
• 8. S ver 10; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18
• 9. S Job 8:3; Psalms 9:16; Colossians 3:25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6
• 10. Hebrews 1:2
• 11. Job 36:23; Job 38:4,6; Isaiah 40:14
• 12. S Genesis 6:3
• 13. S Numbers 16:22; S Job 27:3; Psalms 104:29
• 14. S Genesis 6:13; Lamentations 3:22; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16
• 15. S Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; S Job 7:21; Job 9:22; Psalms 90:10
• 16. S ver 10
• 17. S Job 32:10
• 18. ver 30; 2 Samuel 23:3-4; Proverbs 20:8,26; Proverbs 24:23-25; Proverbs 28:28
• 19. ver 29; S Job 10:7; Job 40:8; Romans 3:5-6
• 20. S Job 12:18
• 21. Exodus 22:28; Isaiah 40:24
• 22. Deuteronomy 10:17; S Job 13:10; S Acts 10:34
• 23. S Leviticus 19:15; James 2:5
• 24. S Job 10:3
• 25. ver 25; S Exodus 11:4; S Job 20:8; Exodus 12:29
• 26. S Job 12:19

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "Spirit"