Job 35:1-11

1 Elihu spoke moreover and said:

2 "Thinkest thou this to be right that thou saidst, `My righteousness is more than God's'?

3 For thou saidst, `What advantage will it be unto Thee?' and, `What profit shall I have if I be cleansed from my sin?'

4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

5 Look unto the heavens and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against Him? Or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto Him?

7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou Him? Or what receiveth He of thine hand?

8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

9 "By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry; they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

10 But none saith, `Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night,

11 who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?'

Job 35:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 35

Is this chapter Elihu goes on to charge Job with other unbecoming speeches, which he undertakes to refute; as that he had represented his cause more just than God's, and religion and righteousness as things unprofitable to men, only to God; to which Elihu takes upon him to make answer, Job 35:1-8; and that the cries of the oppressed were not heard by the Lord, so as to give occasion to songs of praise and thankfulness, to which he replies, Job 35:9-13; and that Job had expressed diffidence and despair of ever seeing and enjoying the favour of God, which he endeavours to remove, Job 35:14-16.