Job 34:18

18 He it is that saith to a king, Thou art apostate, either (a) breaker of religion, when he keepeth not rightfulness and the common good; which calleth the dukes unpious, either unfaithful. (It is he who saith to a king, Thou art an apostate, that is, a breaker of religion, when he keepeth not righteousness and the common good; he who calleth the leaders unpious, or unfaithful.)

Job 34:18 Meaning and Commentary

Job 34:18

[Is it fit] to say to a king, [thou art] wicked?
&c.] Not even to a bad king; for though he may be reproved for his sins, yet not by any or everyone, but by a fit and proper person: and generally speaking, if not always, the Scriptural instances of reproving such kings are of men that were prophets, and sent in the name of the Lord to do it; and when done by them, was done with decency: and much less should this be said to a good king; as to say to him, Belial, the word here used; or thou art Belial; or a son of Belial, as Shimei said to David, ( 2 Samuel 16:7 ) ; a name given to the worst of men, and is the devil himself; and signifies either one without a yoke, or lawless, which a king is not; or unprofitable, whereas a king is a minister of God for good; is for the punishment of evildoers, and for a praise to them that do well;

[and] to princes, [ye are] ungodly?
Who have their name from being generous, munificent, and liberal, and therefore should not be treated in such a manner; who are the sons of kings, or subordinate magistrates to them, and execute their will and pleasure, laws and precepts. And if now such language is not to be used to earthly kings and princes, then surely not to the King of kings and Lord of lords; so Jarchi interprets it of God the King of the world; and some Christian interpreters, as Schmidt, understand by "princes" the three Persons in the Godhead; which can hardly be made to bear: though, could the whole be understood of God in the three Persons of the Deity, the connection with ( Job 34:19 ) would run more smoothly without the supplement that is made; so Broughton,

``to the King, the King of nobles, that accepteth not,'' &c.

Job 34:18 In-Context

16 Therefore if thou hast understanding, hear thou that that is said, and harken (to) the voice of my speech.

17 Whether he that loveth not doom may be made whole? and how then condemnest thou so much him, that is just? (Can he who loveth not justice be made whole? so how then condemnest thou him, who is so just, or so fair?)

18 He it is that saith to a king, Thou art apostate, either (a) breaker of religion, when he keepeth not rightfulness and the common good; which calleth the dukes unpious, either unfaithful. (It is he who saith to a king, Thou art an apostate, that is, a breaker of religion, when he keepeth not righteousness and the common good; he who calleth the leaders unpious, or unfaithful.)

19 He accepteth not the persons of princes (He favoureth not princes, or rulers), neither he knoweth a tyrant to spare him, when he striveth against a poor man; for all men be the work of his hands.

20 They shall die suddenly, and at midnight peoples shall be troubled; and shall pass, and shall take away a violent man without hand. (And then suddenly they shall die, yea, at midnight these people shall be troubled, and shall pass away; he shall take away a mighty man, without even raising a hand.)